September 22, 2014 – Members of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) are angry with the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola over his refusal to pay their August salary.
The aggrieved doctors have now petitioned the state House of Assembly to prevail on the governor to pay the salary.
In a letter read on the floor of the House by Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru, the NMA called on Fashola to pay their salary in the interest of peaceful co-existence.
Recall that NMA embarked on industrial action which lasted for about two months.
The letter which was signed by the chairman and the secretary, Babafemi Thomas and Tope Ojo, the NMA stated that various bodies in the state had embarked on strikes in the past and that their salaries were paid.
The medical body however wondered why the state government would refuse to pay their entitlement as laid down by law.
In his comment, the Deputy Chief Whip, Rotimi Abiru said “the issue raised by the NMA is valid,” adding that the House should endeavour to look into it critically.
Abiru therefore added that before final pronouncement would have to be made, the House Committee on Health should be mandated to carry out thorough investigation.
Also contributing, the Leader of the House, Ajibayo Adeyeye recalled that sometime last year the residents doctors in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) were not paid a month salary, saying the House should urgently look into it to “avert another industrial unrest.”
The Leader stressed that it became more imperative to address the issue since other doctors who also went on the same strike had been paid their August salary. Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji directed the House Committee on Health to investigate and report in a week’s time.
