COVID-19: We Have Spent N20b On Health Workers’ Hazard Allowance In 3 Months – FG

The federal government of Nigeria has revealed that N20 billion has been spent on the payment of hazard and inducement allowance to medical and health workers in 3 months.

The government noted that the payments, which are for April, May and June 2020 were all duly paid to the frontline health workers despite the reducing resources available to the government during the COVID-19 period.

The Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, said this in a statement on Tuesday while further appealing to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend its ongoing strike.

Naija News recalls the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday commenced a nationwide strike over the federal government’s failure to meet their demands.

However, Ngige on Tuesday, noted that six out of the eight demands listed by the body have already been addressed by the government.

He said the Buhari administration already addressed six out of the eight demands listed by the body and claims the decision of the doctors to embark on strike action is not justified.

The Minister said that by Labour Laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions, all parties are not to employ arm-twisting methods.

His statement added that the government has also expended N9.3 billion as premium for Group Life Insurance for Health workers, civil and public servants in federal organisations.

The insurance will run from March 2020 to March 2021.

Ngige expressed optimism that the planned Wednesday meeting between the resident doctors and the Federal Ministries of Health, Finance, Budget and National Planning will be able to resolve all issues and the strike will be called off.