Your demand will be met in four weeks – Gbajabiamila tells NARD

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has assured the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) that their demands would be met in four weeks

The Speaker gave his assurance when he visited the association (NARD) headquarter in Abuja

NARD President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, had previously warned the Federal Government that if it refuses to honour it agreement in four weeks time, the association would resume it suspended, indefinite, nationwide strike.

However, Gbajabiamila after listening to their demand stated that the Government is doing everything within power to make sure the demand are met in the given time frame.

“We have made some progress, headway. We have been talking, this is not the first. The Chairman of the Health Committee is here and he has been briefing us,” he said.

“That has led to the suspension of the strike for four weeks. I believe that before the four weeks is up, we will be able to cement the deal.

“There is a Memorandum of Action signed between the Resident Doctors and the Government. We will make sure that is followed as best as we can. You understand the importance of these guys, we can’t afford to let them lay down their tools.”

On his part, the association’s President told Gbajabiamila that he is confident that their demands will be met within the 4-week grace period given before they embark on another strike.

Okhuaihesuyi said, “With the Honourable Speaker coming to the Secretariat, we have been able to achieve some more commitments in response to why we called off the strike.

“As it stands, most of the House Officers are getting paid their salaries. The ones left are those that have some bank failures and are being treated on as we speak.”