The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has refuted claims by the Federal Ministry of Labour regarding significant progress in addressing the union’s demands.
In a statement released on Thursday, NARD expressed disappointment over a press release issued by the ministry on November 19, asserting that a ‘high percentage’ of the doctors’ grievances had been resolved.
NARD contends that the ministry’s portrayal does not align with the reality of negotiations with the government, nor the conditions that have led to the ongoing nationwide strike.
A detailed review conducted during its Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on November 17 revealed that ‘not a single one’ of its 19 core demands had been fully met, contrary to the ministry’s claims.
The Association argued that what government officials describe as progress consists largely of promises, pending approvals, and newly formed committees, patterns which they claim have characterized past unfulfilled commitments.
The doctors challenged the ministry’s assertion that payment of the 25%/35% CONMESS review and 2024 accoutrement allowances had commenced up to December 2024.
They pointed out that none of their members nationwide had received such payments, adding that statements about reconciling omissions merely acknowledge unresolved problems.
“An announcement of intent is not a substitute for a credited salary,” the group stated.
NARD also criticized the ministry’s claim that issues such as specialist allowances and arrears owed to doctors in federal institutions, including Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, FMC Owo, and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, were being ‘compiled’ for submission to the budget office.
