The federal government has on Friday paid the sum of N4.5 billion to doctors who have gone on strike for non-payment of their allowances.
Disclosing this Chris Ngige, the Honorable Minister of Labour, said FG has paid the sum of N4.5bn to 31 federal teaching hospitals and medical centres nationwide.
He said the sum covered hazard and inducement allowances of striking doctors for April and May.
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His words: “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 on 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, Dr. Ehanire said: “We hope that there is a solution in sight; what we have done is to brief the President of the country, who as we all know has the final responsibility for everything that goes on in government.
“Those of us who are Ministers administer our ministries and have to report to him periodically. In this particular case, it has been important to report to him how things have been because of the strike action of resident doctors.
“We have to report to him the implications and the possible consequences of such a strike action. He listened to us carefully, of course he is not happy that it has come this way and we all hope that it would be resolved after all the demands that were made have been resolved.
“The Minister of Labour has listed those demands and how all of them have been fulfilled except those of them which are not within our ambit.”
