FG releases N4.5bn for striking doctors

In order to fight the spread of COVID-19, the federal government has released N4.5 billion to 31 Federal Teaching and Medical Centres across the country.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, made this disclosure while briefing State House Correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the minister, the payment covers hazard and inducement allowances for the month of April and May. Ngige said he met with the President alongside the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo.

He noted that they briefed the President on the strike embarked on by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

Ngige said: “Just this morning, before we went to see Mr President, the Ministry of Finance reported that as at this morning, 3 am, they have paid the allowances for hazard and inducement to 31 teaching and Federal Medical Centres and specialist hospitals of the federal government service and they have expended close to N4.5 billion in the payment because we are paying them the arrears of April and May. The payment for June will also be done immediately these ones are sorted out.”

Also speaking the Minister of Health, Ehanire said that the President expressed sadness over the strike action embarked on by the resident doctors.

He said with the allowances paid, he hopes that the strike will be called off and other demands would have been met.