Wike Gets Stern Warning From Unusual ‘FCT Quarters’

FCT Minister famous for his boisterous carriage and for being an object for political attacks was on Monday confronted by an unusual challenge from doctors working in Abuja

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has issued a stern warning to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. They said if their demands were not met within 14 days, they would carry out what they described as the “deadliest shutdown” of hospitals in Abuja.

The warning was given by ARD President, Dr. George Ebong, during a press conference held at Wuse District Hospital, Abuja, on Monday. While he praised the minister for his infrastructure projects in the FCT, Ebong highlighted that doctors were facing severe economic difficulties that needed urgent attention. He emphasized that human development, particularly for healthcare workers, should be prioritized alongside infrastructure improvements.

Dr. Ebong stated that the minister has 14 days to address their concerns or face a total shutdown of hospitals. He said, “First, we have to appreciate the minister for his infrastructural development in the FCT since his emergence. We want him to know that doctors are an abandoned project. While he fixes the infrastructural abandoned projects, we are the human abandoned projects. We believe the minister can deal with the challenge.”

The ARD’s demands include the clearance of six months of salary arrears for members hired in 2023, payment of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund, and the immediate review of the bonding policy from six years to two years. They also want the minister to enforce the implementation of the skipping policy for new doctors, ensure payment of the 2024 accoutrements allowance, clear outstanding hazard allowance arrears for 13 months, and expedite the conversion of Post 2 members to consultants. Additionally, the ARD is asking for faster recruitment of healthcare workers to address the staffing shortages in FCT hospitals.

Ebong warned that if these issues are not addressed, the nation’s health sector could collapse. “This injustice is alien to FCT; if this is allowed to continue, the nation’s health sector will collapse. We want the minister to solve the problems so doctors can practice to the best of their ability,” he said.

The ARD had previously issued a 21-day ultimatum, and now with only 14 days left, they are urging the minister to act swiftly. “We don’t want the deadliest shutdown that may lead to loss of lives; it is important that the minister listens and acts on our demands without delays,” Ebong concluded.

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