The Leadership of the State Officers’ Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has stated that it has not directed her members to join the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Plateau State.
In a statement issued on Monday 12th December 2022 by the Public Relations Officer, NMA Plateau State Dr Istifanus Buntum Bako, the association noted that though the NMA is a Professional organization which is not part of or an affiliate of the NLC, the association strongly adds it’s voice in giving impetus to the rightful demands of the State workers to be paid their emoluments for the services they have rendered especially in the face of biting and worsening inflation.
The NMA stressed that the issues raised by the the NLC are issues that affect also, the Doctors working with the Plateau State Government. According to the statement, the association frowns at the fact that these issues have remained unresolved despite numerous appeals and overtures repeatedly made to persons in authority to bring to an end, the issues causing disquiet amongst members of the NMA and other employees of the State Government.
The statement also noted that “Arising from an Emergency Congress Meeting of the National Association of Government General Medical&Dental Practicioners (NAGGMDP),Hospitals Management Board,Plateau State which held on the 29th November,2022 at the NMA Plateau Conference Hall,the NMA affiliate had issued the State Government a fifteen(15) day ultimatum to address her demands raised, and that failure of the Government to do same shall be met by an Indefinite Strike action which will come into effect from 00.00am of Wednesday,14th December,2022.”
The statement further stressed that “The asosciation notes with grave concern as well, the seeming insensitivity of the State Government to the recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics which placed Plateau as the 6th poorest state in Nigeria. We are of the belief that lack of payment of the appropriate salaries to workers over the years has left many of them poorer and unable to meet immediate needs talk more of thinking of investing to grow the state’s economy. Imprompt payment and non-payment can only worsen this already alarming and worrisome statistic which is unfortunate considering the vast resources the State is blessed with.”
Furthermore, the statement call on her members “…to continue to press home their demands for better working conditions and resist any unfair labour practice from their employers as the current leadership of our great Association on the Plateau is fully focused and committed to defending the rights of doctors and furthering the best interests of same and our great Association in the overiding interest of the public whom we owe a duty.Indeed, we will not refrain or shy away from taking the necessary steps at the right time to drive home our demands for a just, equitable and working Nigeria which serves the best interests of the majority and not just the interests of a few in privileged positions who don’t even visit the Government hospitals when they need a health service.”
The NMA used the opportunity “…to remind political leaders across the different levels of governance in Nigeria that leadership is a trust held on behalf of the people,and hence,our leaders should turn a new leaf and stop putting needless economic and mental strain on the populace with the attendant untoward consequences on the health, productivity and security of her citizens.”
The NMA also used the avenue to also express their extant disapproval of the recent extreme and unnecessary lines of action taken by the Federal Government against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU).
They appealed that Government urgently reverses this motion in the wrong direction, and seek to pursue dialogue and amicable resolution of issues over and above strong arm tactics and impoverishment of her employees.
The association enjoins members and other comrades to remain law abiding and responsible as we press home their demands.
Nigeria Star News 