From Moshood Olawale Karim
The Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) and Teaching/Specialist Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres Sector held a quarterly Sectorial council meeting which centered on a number of issues including the continued non-payment of the #35,000 wage award as a result of negotiation between the National Labour Movement and the Federal Government to cushion the negative effects of fuel subsidy removal being experienced by workers nationwide.
The event also afforded (SSAUTHRIAI) the opportunity to recognise the outstanding contributions of some of its members. The awardees are: Comrade Joseph Bature Amlabu as Best dressed Male, Comrade Ademolekaun Gbenga Joseph as Permanent Secretary of the Year, Comrade Oyibo Alidu as Branch Chairman of the Year, 2023, Comrade Hassana Muhammed as Best Dressed Female, Comrade Emmanuel Esizobor Igechi as Most Involved Branch Chairman while Comrade Alli John Adeolu won the Most Punctual Branch Chairman award.
Below is the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting which took place on 11th and 12th, December, 2023 in Kaduna State.
The Council has carefully considered the security, social-economic challenges affecting its members and workers across the country and decided as follows:
NON-PAYMENT OF WAGE AWARD
The Council noted with dismay the continued non-payment of the #35,000 wage award as a result of negotiation between the National Labour Movement and the Federal Government on the excruciating effects being experienced by workers due to fuel subsidy removal. It is noteworthy to state that since the one paid in September, 2023 the outstanding October and November are yet to be paid. The council therefore requests the Federal Government not to renege on her promises in that regard and effect this payment without further delay.
NON-PAYMENT OF OUTSTANDING ARREARS
The Council-in-session affirmed that there are lots of outstanding arrears that are yet to be paid to her members across various Health Institutions in the Country. These allowances include: Covid-19, Promotion, Minimum wage, New Hazard and Skipping arrears. The Council urges the relevant government agencies to quickly resolve these concerns to motivate our Members across the country.
CONHESS ADJUSTMENT
Council-in-session reiterated the need for the Federal Government to immediately implement 30 September, 2017 agreement on CONHESS adjustment which the Government agreed to implement to the latter within five (5) weeks of signing the agreement. The Council impels the Federal Government to conclude this CONHESS adjustment, get its circular released and implemented to our Members without further delay.
DELAY IN PAYMENT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Council-in-session noted that in recent times, there had been delay in the payment of retirement benefits to our retirees who served the Nation with all their youthful strength, but being denied their retirement benefits as and when due. The council therefore beseeches the Government to mandate relevant agencies to pay retirement benefits to the beneficiaries immediately after their disengagement from active service.
NATIONAL HOUSING FUND
The Council-in-session frowned at non-disbursement of Housing Loans to our Members to avail them the opportunities to have their own houses before exiting the service despite their monthly contributions to the scheme. The Council-in-session therefore adjures the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to immediately see to the prompt disbursement of housing loan to members.
DELAY/NON-REMITTANCE OF 3 PARTY DEDUCTIONS
Council-in-session noted with dissatisfaction the delay/non-remittance of 3rd party deductions to various Unions and Cooperative Societies in our Hospitals and Health facilities by IPPIS/State Governments. The Council therefore exhorts the Federal/State Governments to as a matter of necessity, make remittances of deducted funds to the Unions and Cooperative societies without delay.
BRAIN DRAIN (JAPA) SYNDROME
The Council-in-session joined other Labour Movements to express her worries concerning mass exodus of some of our best brains across all professions, particularly in the Health sector. To this end, the council urges the Federal/State Governments to find lasting solutions to this Japa syndrome that now threatens the Health sector and the nation at large. In view of the above, the council-in-session suggests improved welfare packages for staff, introduction of living wages instead of the present minimum wage and improvement of healthcare facilities across the country.
EXODUS OF PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES FROM NIGERIA
The council-in-session noted with concern, the exit of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing giants GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Procter and Gamble from Nigeria has affected adversely the prices of medicines and consumer goods, bringing untold hardship on our people. The Council urges the Federal Government to give urgent attention to stemming the tide of galloping rise in the cost of drugs in Nigeria.
ESTABLISHMENT POSITIONS:
The council-in-session observed with displeasure the continued stagnation of members of staff under the guise of establishment positions. We wish to suggest that this stringent policy be eased to motivate staff who still prefer to remain in the country. Therefore, the council-in-session calls on the Federal/State Government to create more promotional positions as a way to motivate members of staff.
ROLL-OUT OF CNG BUSES:
The Council-in-session appreciated the willingness of the Federal Government to launch Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Buses to cushion the harrowing effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerian workers. The Council-in-session therefore requests the Federal/States Governments to promptly roll out these Buses without further delay. While appealing to various Hospitals and Health facilities in Nigeria to support their workers with quality intra-city transport system to ease workers’ challenges in this regard.
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE AUTHORITY
The Council-in-session noted with dismay the tariffs being paid for services rendered by the NHIA which are no longer in tandem with the current economic realities in the country. This had negatively affected our members in accessing health services these days. The Council therefore admonishes the Government, NHIA and other relevant agencies to review the premium being paid for services to make it more realistic in term of full coverages of patients’ health challenges.
REFINERIES
The Council-in-session appreciated the frantic efforts of the Federal Government in revamping our petroleum industry and most especially the turn-around maintenance of Port-Harcourt refinery with the hope of making petroleum products available for local consumption. The council therefore implores the Government not to relent on her efforts to make this realizable within the deadlines of December, 2023 as earlier set.
STATE OF THE NATION
The council-in-session noted with concern that Nigerians currently face many socio-economic challenges that include insecurity, kidnapping and separatists’ activities. There is urgent need for concerted action by Government to proffer solutions to these and more disturbing challenges. The council-in-session sympathizes with bereaved families of the victims of accidental bomb discharge which recently happened in Tundun Biri village, the good people and the Government of Kaduna State. The Council therefore calls for proper investigations to avoid future reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident and equally effect compensations to the families involved.
