NARD calls FG, PDP to prevail on Ikpeazu to pay Abia doctors owed 25 months salary

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on all stakeholders to prevail on governors owing doctors in their states.

The NARD in a statement by its President, Innocent Orji, Secretary General, Chikezie Kelechi, and Publicity Secretary, Umar Musa, at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Akwa Ibom, said the states owing the association are Abia, Ekiti, Imo, and Ondo.

It however singled out Abia State where the doctors are being owed 25 months’ salary, calling on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Governors’ forum, the PDP Governors’ forum, the G-5 group of PDP Governors, and all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

“The NEC noted the perennial and embarrassing inability of the governor of Abia state, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (PhD) to pay the salary arrears of our members (and other healthcare workers) in Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) to the tune of 25 months despite numerous promises and repeated protracted industrial actions in the state.

“The NEC calls on the federal government, the Nigerian Governors’ forum, the PDP Governors’ forum, the G-5 group of PDP Governors, and all well-meaning Nigerians to help point the governor of Abia State, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (PhD) to the plight of our members and indeed all healthcare workers in Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) who have been owed salary arrears to the tune of 25 months and are still blackmailed by the state Government to continue to work.

“The NEC calls on the federal government, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, stakeholders, and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the governors of Ekiti (3 months), Imo (10 months) and Ondo (5 months) States to urgently pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed our members in the state tertiary health institutions as stated above, as this is becoming embarrassing,” the statement said.