FAVOUR ISHEMBER, Abuja
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has announced a 3-day warning strike over the withholding of April salaries of its members.
The association made this known in a communique issued at the end of the Resident Doctors’ general meeting, which elder both physically and virtually at the Conference Room of the Asokoro District Hospitals on 5th May, and signed by its President-General, Dr. George Ebong.
According to Dr. Ebong, the salaries of 127 members were arbitrarily withheld by the FCT Civil Service Commission without prior notice or due diligence.
The association described the action as “unacceptable” and “provocative,” noting that it has caused “untold emotional, physical, psychological, and financial hardship” to the affected staff.
The association also expressed concern over the exclusion of key stakeholders from the decision-making process and the behavior of the Civil Service Commission, which it described as “blatant arrogance, rudeness, and disdain” towards staff.
The ARD-FCTA has given the FCT Civil Service Commission a list of demands, including the immediate payment of withheld salaries, an apology to affected members, and the resignation of the Chairman of the Commission.
“We observe with deep anger and utmost disappointment the arbitrary and unjust withholding of April salaries affecting 127 members of our association and other health workers, despite these staff undergoing the tedious verification process organized by the commission. This action was taken without any prior notice or due diligence, and this is completely unacceptable.”
“We noticed how outrageously these workers were falsely tagged as having absconded and their names removed from the payment platform by the Civil Service Commission, even though hospital services have continued uninterrupted. At a time when the welfare and remuneration of health workers are already depleted, such a move is not only insensitive but outrightly provocative.”
Over 100 dedicated staff have now been denied their rightful earnings – a disgraceful decision that has caused untold emotional, physical, psychological, and financial hardship.”
“What is equally disturbing is the complete exclusion of key stakeholders from this decision-making process by the Civil Service Commission”
The association also demands a public disclaimer from the Hospital Management Board affirming the status of affected members as confirmed and verified staff.
If the demands are not met, the association has threatened to proceed on an indefinite strike.
“We hereby declare a 3-day warning strike, effective from 8:00am on Tuesday, 6th May 2025 to 8:00am on Friday, 9th May 2025”.
“Immediate payment of withheld April salaries to all affected staff without delay and their names added back to the payment platform”
“An unreserved, written apology from the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission to all affected members, acknowledging the emotional, psychological, physical and financial harm caused”
“The immediate resignation of the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, whose actions have continuously undermined staff welfare and administrative progress”
“A public disclaimer from the Hospital Management Board affirming that all affected members are duly recognized, confirmed and verified staff of the Board, who had continued to discharge their duties with utmost commitment.”
The ARD-FCTA has, however, appreciated the efforts of the Honourable Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, in transforming infrastructure across the FCT and appealed to him to intervene in the matter.
The strike which is set to begin on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and end on Friday, May 9, 2025, may be suspended.
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