Kingsley Nwezeh
11 July 2009
Abuja — In a bid to halt the ongoing strike by workers, the Federal Government yesterday said it would commence the payment of N40 billion to the striking unions as part of the outstanding arrears of salary (monetisation) owed them by Monday.
Addresing journalists in Abuja, Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Oshotimehin, said the office of the Accountant General of the Federation was working to ensure that workers received their pay by Monday.
He said government was working on a service-wide plan aimed at finding a holistic solution to the problem as against a sector by sector approach.
"I have spoken to the appropriate authorities and I am assured that by Monday, the money would be paid into their accounts and as I speak, the office of the Accountant General of the Federation is working seriously to ensure that the payment is effected on Monday. Government has already given its word and that is important," he said.
The minister therefore urged striking workers especially health workers to return to work to save lives.
"All I am saying is that as Nigerians, we must trust ourselves. We have a responsibility not only to ourselves but to fellow Nigerians. If I am entrusted with the responsibility of providing care, then I should not allow a situation of a delay of a day or two to stop me from doing what I have to do. Government has already given its word and I think that that should be enough," he said.
Reacting to the development, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Foster Igboeli, said the decision to pay striking workers was a step in the right direction.
"I am advocating that with the development, health workers should return to their duty posts. I believe it is a step in the right direction," he said.
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