The Lagos government says it did not issue any directive to
reduce the monthly allowances of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) doctors
from N75,000 to N15,000.
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had
asked its members to commence a nationwide strike from August 2 over what it
termed an irregular payment of salaries.
The doctors claimed that a directive by Babajide Sanwo-Olu,
Lagos governor, to stop enrolling interns, house officers, and NYSC members on
the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) among other things necessitated the
strike.
But on Sunday, Ajibola Ponnle, the commissioner for establishments, training, and pensions, issued a statement denying claims that the state ordered a reduction of NYSC doctor’s allowances.
She also said the state government has noted the decision of
the NARD to call out doctors on a strike from August 2.
“The decision followed the directive of its national
executive committee meeting held in Umuahia on 30th July 2021,” Ponle said.
“The communique cited, among other grievances, a purported
directive from the Lagos government, through the ministry of special duties, to
reduce the monthly payment of NYSC doctors from N75,000 to N15,000, effective
July 2021.
“This claim is false and misleading.”
Ponnle stated that certain resolutions reached at the 42nd
national council on establishments (NCE) meeting held in Lagos from November 30
to December 4, 2020, necessitated the issuance of a circular.
She said Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Lagos state head of
service, issued the circular to communicate the decision taken at the federal
level to public servants in Lagos.
The commissioner added that the directive was that
internship programmes/NYSC doctors in the public service should no longer
attract grade levels in the salary structure as the programmes form part of the
training.
Describing NARD’s decision to embark on a strike as hasty,
Ponnle appealed for restraint by the Lagos chapter of the Association of
Resident Doctors (ARD) and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to the
welfare of state employees, particularly health workers who have shown
commitment, bravery, and resilience in the fight against the Covid-19
pandemic,” she said.
“The state government, through the ministry of
establishments, training, and pensions, will hold a stakeholders’ consultative
meeting in the coming week on the implications of the decision taken by the
National Council of Establishments on Internship, Housemanship and NYSC Doctors
in the Civil/Public Service, which prompted this action.”
According to Ponnle, the affected stakeholders should wait
for the conclusion of these engagements.
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