Ondo Govt Meets Striking Doctors, Demands Call Off Strike |The Source

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

One month after they laid down their tools, medical doctors in the services of Ondo State government have suspended their strike.

The doctors, despite the astronomical rise in cases of Covid 19 pandemic in the state, had withdrawn their  services from government hospitals since 24th June, 2020 following unpaid allowances.

The state chairman of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, (NAGGMDP), Dr. Oluwafemi Aina, pointed out that the strike was suspended after government acceded to some of their demands

The union which is an affiliate  of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), thanked the state Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu and his team for extending the gains of its withdrawal of services to other health workers.

However, in a statement, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, disclosed that the state government released about N3. 2 billion to offset outstanding allowances of workers in the state.

According to him, the payment, which include hazard bonuses for health and medical workers, was made during the last Sallah festival.

The agreement for the payment was the outcome of last month’s (July) meeting between the Governor of the State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and Union Leaders.

Governor Akeredolu had, last week, approved that these outstanding allowances be paid sequel to the conclusion of the series of meetings brokered by the Head of Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye.

Part of the resolution was that the July allocation from the Federation Account should be used to offset these allowances.

Some of the already cleared outstanding allowances include; deductions, leave bonuses as well as pensions.