News
Resident doctors reject FG’s N25k quarterly equipment allowance, say it’s paltry
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected the approved N25,000 quarterly accoutrement allowance from the federal government.
In a circular signed by Ekpo Nta, chairman of the national salary and wages commission, the federal government said it had approved the payment of an accoutrement allowance of N25,000 per quarter to medical and dental doctors in hospitals, medical centres and clinics in the federal public service.
“The allowance is to be paid from the overhead budget,” the circular reads.
In a separate circular, the federal government had also approved a 25% increase in consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS).
Speaking with newsmen on Saturday, Emeka Orji, NARD president, said the association has rejected the accoutrement allowance as it does not meet the doctors’ demands.
“In the letter we wrote to the federal government last year, we also asked for instrument allowances to be included. Many of the instruments in public hospitals were procured by doctors themselves. I buy instruments I use to operate my patients. These are things the government should be providing,” he said.
“These instruments also wear out and we need to replace them. Having this in mind, is it N25,000 per quarter that will be able to address it? What we requested for is nothing near what they offered and that is why we are rejecting it.”
In a communique on Saturday after a meeting of its national executive council (NEC) in Lagos, NARD conveyed the rejection of the 25 percent salary increase which it described as “paltry”.
“NEC has resolved to vehemently reject the paltry 25% increment in the basic salary of doctors as well as the accouterment allowance, adding that her earlier demand is for full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to its right value as at the time of the approval of the structure in 2009,” the communique reads.
The association said it would continue the ongoing nationwide total and indefinite strike action until reasonable progress is made by the government to address its demands.
The salary and allowance approval come in the wake of an indefinite strike by the resident doctors.
The association is demanding the immediate payment of the 2023 medical residency training fund (MRTF), release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, payment of skipping arrears, and upward review of the CONMESS by at least 200%.
Other demands include payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum to the omitted doctors, reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), new hazard allowance, and payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears.
News
Drama as minors collapse in court as FG arraigns 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters
There was chaos at a federal high court in Abuja on Friday after some children who allegedly took part in the #EndBadGovernance protests collapsed while waiting to be arraigned.
The court had fixed Friday for the arraignment of the defendants who are mostly minors.
At the commencement of proceedings, the children who looked ill and malnourished, were asked to come forward to take their plea.
While some huddled in the dock, others stood outside the cubicle due to insufficient space.
However, four of them hurriedly rushed out of the courtroom after they collapsed and writhed in pain.
Obiora Egwuatu, presiding judge, had to rise abruptly before calm returned to the courtroom.
When the court session resumed, the prosecution asked that the names of the four ill children be removed from the charge.
The application was granted and the other defendants were arraigned.
The 76 defendants, who were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, are being accused of treason, among other offences.
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News
Reps consider raising retirement age of health workers to 65
A bill seeking to raise the retirement age of health workers has scaled the second reading at the house of representatives.
Adewale Hammed, the lawmaker representing the Agege federal constituency of Lagos state, sponsored the bill to raise the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 and from 35 to 40 years in service.
Leading the debate on the bill during the plenary on Thursday, the lawmaker argued that the law will enable experienced healthcare workers will continue to contribute their expertise to the sector until they reach the age of 65.
“Nigeria’s healthcare sector is currently experiencing a significant depletion in both the number and quality of professionals due to two main factors,” Hammed said.
“Firstly, a substantial number of health workers are migrating abroad in search of the proverbial golden fleece — a trend difficult to stop given the fundamental human rights of the individuals concerned.
“Secondly, the compulsory retirement age of 60 and the mandatory 35 years of service, as stipulated in the public service rules, are contributing to the exodus of experienced professionals.
“While we cannot control the former, the latter can be addressed through the upward review of the retirement age, which will be achieved by this bill.”
The lawmaker said the retirement age of judges, lecturers, and teachers has been raised, noting that health workers should not be left out.
Mark Esset, a lawmaker from Akwa, opposed the bill, contending that opportunities should be given to many well-trained Nigerians who are searching for jobs rather than extending the service years of those who are due for retirement.
Nwaeke Felix from Rivers also spoke against the bill, backing Esset’s argument.
However, Ahmed Jaha from Borno spoke in favour of the bill, noting that it will not stop the recruitment of new graduates.
Lawmakers voted in support of the bill when Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the house, subjected it to a voice vote.
News
Realtor goes missing after being called to check property in Lagos
A 43-year-old man identified as Jimi Folarin, a realtor, has gone missing after being called by a client to inspect properties in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
According to his sister, Iremide Omowunmi, Folarin left the house at exactly 4 PM on Wednesday for the property inspection and has not answered his phone since.
She stated, “At about 4 PM, my brother called me to say that the clients he was waiting for had contacted him to come and inspect the properties. This was exactly at 4 PM.
“My brother is a real estate agent who sells land and assists people in buying land. Around 5 PM, I tried calling him to see if he had arrived, but although the phone rang, he did not pick up. I thought maybe he was busy with the clients, so I stopped calling. It wasn’t until 10 PM that I tried reaching him again, but he still didn’t respond. I then texted him on WhatsApp, but he didn’t reply either, which is unlike him.
“While I was calling him, my brother’s friend was also trying to reach him. After a while, a strange number called my brother’s friend, asking who he wanted to speak to. When my brother’s friend questioned the caller, they immediately hung up.
“This morning, I called that strange number, and the person answered. But when I asked for Folarin, my brother, they abruptly ended the call. I have reported the case to the Gbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu,” she added.
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