The Nigerian Government has been given two weeks to implement the new National Minimum Wage and Hazard allowance or risk prolonged industrial action, according to the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The NARD‘s president, Dr. Dare Ishaya, secretary general, Suleiman Abiodun, and publicity and social secretary, Alfa Yusuf, all jointly signed the communiqué issuing the ultimatum, which was made available to reporters at the conclusion of the association’s July National Executive Council meeting and Scientific Conference.
The NARD, lamenting that the situation was embarrassing, appealed to the federal government, the Nigerian Governors Forum, stakeholders, and well-meaning Nigerians to pressure the governors of Imo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Gombe states to swiftly pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed to its members in the tertiary health institutions.
In order for its members to register for exams by the deadline set by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, it urged the federal government to move swiftly on the payment of the recently revised Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) within the two-week deadline.
The association demanded that the federal government and all state governments look into the problem of doctors assault, thoroughly investigate the continuing cases, and put measures in place to stop the threat in its tracks and prevent future occurrences.