The ongoing industrial action embarked upon by Niger State and local government staffs, has paralysed healthcare delivery system of the State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitor the situation in the Minna, Suleja, and Kontagora general hospitals, reports that patients at the hospitals in Minna and the neonatal maternal hospital were evicted from the hospitals due to the biting effect of the strike.
Relations of patients who could afford the cost have transferred them to private hospitals who are currently making brisk businesses over the strike that entered the second week.
For Families who could not afford the exorbitant medical bills charge by private hospitals, some have moved their sick relations to Federal medical centre, Bida, for medical attention.
For those who could not afford the cost of moving their sick ones to the only available Federal medical facility in the state or afford the cost of seeking medical attention at the private hospital, they have decided to patronise the traditional healing home or herbal centres.
Speaking on the difficulty the ongoing strike is inflicting on residents of Minna and other major towns in the state, a senior Healthcare provider at Minna General Hospital, who asked not to be named, said the skeletal services provides by Management staff is not impacting on the need of patients and their relations.
According to her, “patients are suffering especially those who cannot afford the services of private practitioners.
“The government should do the needful in other to restore normal health services across the State in Government hospitals.
The Source further noted that some health officials will not want the strike to end soon because they are smiling to the banks.
“Some of colleagues will not want this strike to end soon because the fact remains that some of them are the proprietors of some of the Private hospitals currently making brisk business.
Meanwhile, organised Labour in Niger has transmitted its two-week warning strike to an indefinite strike action following the breakdown of negotiations with government officials.
The State government last week shifted ground by ceding to some of the demand like the refund of the 30 per cent salary deductions in 2020.
Gov. Abubakar Bello had agreed to commence the payment of the suspended retired Civil Servants gratuities by accepting to set aside N200 million Monthly to liquidate the outstanding arrears.
However, the major area of contention is the percentage payment of Local government workers salaries which Labour insisted must be restored.
However, the situation took a new dimension on Wednesday when organised labour issued a statement calling on workers to immediately embark on an indefinite strike action following reports that local government areas are still paying percentage salaries to their workers.
In a statement, signed by Comrade Yakubu Garba, Chairman, Nigeria Labour congress, Niger state council, labour ordered workers to commence the indefinite strike action.
He said the directive is sequel to the observation that Local government Areas of Niger state are adamant to meet Labour’s demand.
“It has come to the notice of organised labour that 70 per cent of February, 2022, salary was paid to workers of Rafi local government Areas of Niger on March 15th, 2022.
“The percentage payment was neither consented to by civil servants in Rafi LGA nor representative of the union”.
According to him, the action of the council negates the progress made in the ongoing negotiations between the organised labour and representatives of Niger state Government headed by the Deputy Governor.
ALSO READ:An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Niger State, Alhaji Nma Kolo, has expressed optimism on the ability of the Acting Chairman of the party, Gov, Abubakar Bello, to organize and conduct a free, fair and credible National Convention of the party. Bello took over the leadership of the Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) on Monday in Abuja in an acting capacity from Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, who is said to have travelled outside the country for medical check-up. Kolo, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Gov. Bello, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Friday that his principal has the political capacity and capability to organize a transparent and acceptable convention. He said that the task ahead for all progressives is to ensure political maturity during and after the convention “that will take the party to victory in 2023”. Kolo explained that the successful inauguration of state chairmen of the party as well as adoption of the party zoning formula has created a successful platform for the party. “Gov. Bello has laid a concrete political foundation needed for our great party to sustain elective structures in the forth coming general elections. “The present political structures in place will pave the way for a smooth conduct of transparent convention that will usher in new leaders to lead our party to victory in 2023. “We already know him. We know his political capability as a very tolerant, humble, listening leader. All these attributes will make him succeed in the task ahead,” he said. Kolo urged Bello to remain focused and deliver the National Convention as promised to “excite our loyal party members and disappoint our opponents and critics,” he said. The party chieftain advised the CECPC to restrict access to the national convention only to those prescribed by article 12(1); sub-section I to IX of the APC constitution. Kolo also called on party supporters to continue to support and cooperate with the leadership of the party in its effort to reposition the party for optimal political growth.
Organized labour said the strike will remain in force until salaries of workers in the 25 Local government Areas are paid in 100 per cent gross component.
