Daily Independent (Lagos)
Sule Lazarus
10 July 2009
Abuja — Lawmakers say they are pretty fed up with the bad news in the economy, and on Thursday spoke angrily against the gale of strikes in key sectors. They summoned three Ministers to explain efforts to end the unrest.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House of Representatives expressed regret that the government controlled by the party has failed to deliver on the mandate given by the people, leading to the near comatose of every economic sector.
The House, after a heated debate, requested Health Minister, Babatunde Osotimehin, to appear before its Health Committee to shed light on the national strike by nurses and midwives.
It also invited Education Minister, Sam Egwu, over the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); as well as Information and Communication Minister, Dora Akunyili over that of the Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU).
The three Ministers are to appear within one week.
The House mandated the Health Committee to probe the causes of the strikes, and the deaths at the National Hospital in Abuja and report back within a week.
Debate on a motion tabled by Austin Nwachukwu (PDP, Imo) saw plenary unanimously agree that, with the poor condition of the health sector, these strikes could spell doom for the country.
Nwachukwu cited newspaper reports that no fewer than 10,000 patients are stranded in Uyo and 23 others are on danger list at the Aminu Kano Hospital, Kano.
He urged the House to mandate its Health Committee to investigate alleged negligence at the National Hospital in Abuja which he said led to the death of many, including his father who spent two hours in an ambulance unattended.
The House, however rejected a motion on the strike by the ASUU, moved by Halims Agoda, on the grounds that the Education Committee is already in dialogue with Egwu.
Former House Leader, Abdul Ningi; Minority Leader, Ali Ndume; Igo Aguma; and Farouk Lawan all warned that the strike by nurses and midwives puts the lives of many Nigerians in danger.
Aguma, in a fit of anger, said he is embarrassed to be part of a party that has not delivered.
Dino Melaye, the Information and Communication Committee Chairman, explained that the RATTAWU embarked on strike because of two years' arrears of monetised benefits.
The health workers and the RATTAWU began their own strikes taking a cue from the ASUU which abandoned the chalk and the backboard on June 22 to protest the non-implementation of its deal with the government on improved conditions, fashioned after two years of talks.
Egwu has since taken a hard line against the ASUU, saying the government has no binding agreement with it, as the negotiations only resulted in a "mere draft document" which does not pass for a concrete resolution.
But Senators have slammed President Umaru Yar'Adua for failing to implement agreements the government has with the ASUU.
Senate Spokesman, Ayogu Eze, said it is proper and responsible that such pacts should be honoured if they have been signed.
"The government may not have all the resources," he stressed, "but it should say, 'we will give you this tomorrow; next tomorrow we give you this, one week after we give you this.'"
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