LAGOS – The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Chapter, on Sunday appealed to the Lagos State Government to pay the withheld emoluments of doctors in its employment.
The Chairman of the association, Dr Tope Ojo, made the appeal at a news briefing in Lagos.
Ojo said that it was worrisome that the Lagos State Government withheld the emoluments of its doctors for the month of August and September 2014 as a result of the July 1 NMA nationwide strike.
He said that all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory had complied with the general agreement that led to the suspension of the 55-day NMA nationwide strike to pave way for peace and further negotiations.
According to him, only Lagos State has yet to comply with the agreements.
“It will be recalled that the NMA after series of negotiations with the government had some of its demands met.
“The sack of resident doctors was reversed and all outstanding emoluments had been paid as agreed which led to the suspension of its industrial action.
“But it is worrisome that till date, the Lagos State Government has held on to the emoluments of its doctors for August and September,.
“Also, May 2012 salary is being withheld till date in spite of several appeals. This made the state government the only one that has not complied with the general agreement,” he said.
Ojo said the strike was not at the instance of the Lagos State employed doctors but at the instance of the parent body of the association.
According to him, we do not want to have an impression that the state government harbours ill-feelings against its doctors.
“The LASU ASUU, LASPOTECH ASUP and Judiciary workers did not suffer the same fate following the suspension of their recent industrial action,” he said. [eap_ad_1] Ojo said the association had met with the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Health and had also written two letters to Gov. Babatunde Fashola for a peaceful resolution, but all to no avail.
He appealed to Gov. Fashola to use his office to facilitate the payment of the withheld emoluments of doctors in the employment of the state.
He also urged well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the state government to do the needful as the NMA remained committed to maintaining peaceful co-existence and industrial harmony. (NAN)
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