FG is causing confusion among Resident Doctors-NARD

Barely one week after the suspension of a 63 days strike, The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has accused FG of causing confusion among its members, deviating from the understanding reached before the strike was called off and suspending the payment of the Medical Residency Training Funds

The National President of NARD, Dr Dare Ishaya, disclosed this in an exclusive interview  in Abuja on Monday.

However, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said there was no truth in the claim

It was reported last week that the association, after interventions by the Nigerian Medical Association, suspended its industrial action with the aim of holding a meeting of the National Executive Committee to review the activities of the Federal Government six weeks after.

The NARD commenced its industrial action on August 2, 2021.

Sources familiar with the matter said that since the association suspended its industrial action, the Federal Government stopped the payment of the medical residency training fund which it commenced before the strike was suspended.

“They paid 20 percent before we suspended the strike and they promised they would pay everything immediately we suspend the strike and the salary arrears.

“But the moment we suspended the strike, till now, we have not heard anything from them. Thirty-four centres have not been paid (medical residency training fund) and salary arrears, even the one for August and September have not been paid,” one of the sources said.

The National President of NARD, Ishaya, confirmed the development.
However, Ngige confirmed the aspect of non-payment of salaries, saying the case was still in court while government was working towards an out-of-court settlement.

He said the striking doctors would not be paid for the months they did not work.

On the residency fund, the minister said the payment was suspended because some individuals who were not resident doctors were paid.

The minister said, “Do you pay somebody who didn’t work in August, September? The truth of the matter is that the August and September salary is a matter that is still in court. So, when we go to court, we will try to see if we can do out-of-court settlement. But for now, nothing like payment.

“The payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund is still going on, but what they can tell you is that some institutions were missed and this was because of mix-ups. The Ministry of Health and the Accountant-General are sorting it out.

“The Ministry of Health and the AGF have received a new list today (Monday) and they will process it and that is why it seemed as if the payment process was stopped so that we will have to work with the verified list.”

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is the Nigerian Federal Ministry concerned with relations between workers and employers. It is headed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, who is appointed by the President, and is assisted by a Permanent Secretary, who is a career civil servant. The Current Minister is Dr. Chris Ngige as Minister of Labour