- The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, says the Federal Government has spent N15.8bn between April and May on hazard allowances for health care workers.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, says the Federal Government has spent N15.8bn between April and May on hazard allowances for health care workers.
He said the health workers were those working in tertiary hospitals, federal medical centres and other facilities treating COVID-19 patients across the country.
Ngige revealed this on Monday in Abuja, after a closed door meeting with members of the National Association of Resident Doctors.
He noted that the June allowances were still outstanding because the budgetary allocation had been affected by certain developments.
The minister explained that the clarification became necessary following NARD’s claims that several of the issues earlier agreed on with the Federal Government were yet to be implemented.
In May, NARD had embarked on strike to press home some of their demands, but suspended the action following intervention and dialogue with the authorities.
However, the association has given a fresh ultimatum, threatening to continue the strike from August 7, 2020 if their demands are not met as earlier promised.
Ngige explained that in order to get the facts straight, his ministry brought together all Federal Government health parastatals to review their expenditures.
“We got all the government agencies from the Federal Ministry of Health to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Accountant General of the Federation, Head of Service of the Federation, Budget Office of the Federation that have to do with the issues raised.
“We reviewed the allowances so far paid and from paper submitted by the IPPIS, office the Federal Government has so far paid about N15.8bn as of date to cover hazard and inducement allowances in the Federal teaching hospitals and Federal Medical Centres and other non-COVID-19 hospitals but where doctors have been treating suspected COVID-19 cases.
“So, in all, as we speak, the Federal Government has paid for April and May Special Allowances for COVID-19 to the tune of N15.8bn and that is a very big feat when put side by side with the fact that this is for special allowance only and that the affected medical personnel also draw from their normal salary for the months.”
On the issue of 20 per cent top up for front line health workers treating COVID-19 patients, the Minister assured that the federal government will address the issue also addressing the issue, adding, “And in that respect we are giving the Ministry of Health, the Accountant General’s office up to Tuesday next week to sort out all matters pertaining to that so that the affected personnel will get their allowances paid.”
Explaining the delay in paying health workers June allowance, Ngige said it was part of the N20 billion budgetary allocations but was affected by new developments that include wages for workers like House Officers and Interns in all the medical professions, NYSC doctors and some volunteers not originally captured.
“So, we as a government are going to have a further discussion with the Presidential Task force, so that we can agree on the modalities on how to capture these people.
“We also have to look into the June allocation because it is already worked on. So, the effective remuneration has been paid,” he added.
The minister further explained that on the issue of Residency Training Fund, which was inserted into 2020 budget, it was noticed that the sub head was captured under the Service Wide Vote and that some amendments, adding that the Budget Office of the Federation has been instructed to liaise with the National Assembly, so that they can handle the problem and start implementation immediately.
NARD President, Aliyu Sokomba, said the “meeting was a very fruitful one and we are glad that it was held.”
He noted that there was an extensive discussion between both parties on important issues, noting, “The process of getting them addressed has been set rolling and we shall reconvene on Thursday to evaluate the progress made regarding each and every issue.
“We are hoping that all these processes will be followed through to a logical conclusion.”
