The crisis between the Kogi State government and it’s workers is taking a new twist as the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) say they are firmly in support of the impending resumption of the earlier suspended industrial action by the Nigeria Medical Association.
It would be recalled that the state government on Thursday night admitted to have paid some workers full salaries while others were paid 50% which was widely rejected by both labours and medical doctors in the state.
According to a statement jointly signed by NAGGMDP chairman, Dr Alhassan Abubakar and Secretary, Dr Nuhu Topa Idris, the association observed that the move by the state government to discriminate against his workers in the payment of salaries was aimed at causing division in the health sector and the entire work force of the civil service.
The statement reads in parts, ” It’s rather unfortunate that while the Muslim faithfuls are preparing for this year’s eidul-adha celebration, the State Government chose to dash the hope of many colleagues by resorting to payment of half salary.
“The pangs of this reality were even made worse by the introduction of dichotomy in the health sector by Government. Doctors in Hospital Management Board (HMB) and ministry of health were singled out for this unfair treatment. Colleagues in Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH), the University and other tertiary institutions got full salary.
“it is most disheartening that our members are still being owed months of salaries arrears and underpayments ranging from 2 to 18 months .
“We in NAGGMDP support the full payment of salary to those so affected but reject, without equivocation, the payment of half salary to the rest of us. We view Government’s current action as an attempt to introduce dichotomy in the health sector with the view to weakening the fraternity.”
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