Following the inability of the Kogi State Government, to pay the full salaries of medical doctors, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state has directed its members to resume an indefinite strike on Monday, until the governor is able to address their demands.
The NMA State Chairman, Dr Godwin Tijani, expressed the grievances of the striking doctors with the state government, stating that they can no longer tolerate none payment of full salaries by the government of Governor Bello Yahaya.
Tijani who spoke in Lokoja with pressmen queried the motive behind the deduction of 100 per cent taxes, when other allowances such as the doctors’ associations and union dues as well as members’ cooperative society contributions were not remitted in full, with some doctors salaries still pending.
While commending their members for their patience and understanding, during this unpleasant situation, he highlighted the decisions taken at the congress to resolve the issue and douse tension.
“Congress, therefore, resolved that all its members across the state should resume total and indefinite withdrawal of healthcare services from all hospitals in Kogi, with effects from 12:00 midnight on Sunday, Jan 7, 2018.
“We want government to give a definite time line for the full implementation of adjusted CONMESS (new salary structure) for doctors in the state civil service and the accrued arrears since January, 2014.
“Congress will reconvene once the state government responds appropriately to the aforementioned demands,” he said.
It would be recalled that the Kogi NMA had suspended an earlier strike over the demand on June 22, 2017, following the state government assurances that it would meet their demands.
