SAN FRANCISCO, June 19, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has released the sum of N4.5 billion to 31 Federal Teaching and Medical Centres across the country to cover hazard and inducement allowances for the month of April and May.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed this on Friday while briefing State House Correspondents in Abuja, the nation’s capital, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
This development is coming amid the strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) who embarked on a nationwide strike on Monday after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum they issued to the federal government.
The doctors are demanding payment of hazard allowance, group life insurance, payment of minimum wage and provision of adequate personal protective equipment for all health workers.
Ngige said the funds cover hazard and inducement allowance arrears for the month of April and May.
“Just this morning, before we went to see Mr President, the ministry of finance reported that as of this morning, 3am; 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,” he said.
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“Again, it’s important to report to you that in consonance with what he’s saying, we have arranged a meeting for them to speak to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum because you don’t mix apples and oranges.
“The issue of health is on the concurrent list, so the federal government will do its own and the state government will be expected to do their own. Some of their grievances border on what they feel the state governments have not done.”
