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FCT Doctors Shun Nationwide Strike
Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday shunned the on-going strike embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
Dr Precious Gbeneol, Secretary, FCT Health Secretariat, in Abuja made the observation while monitoring the activities in some FCT hospitals.
She said the FCT administration had paid over N12.6 billion to medical workers, being payment for the new Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
Gbeneol said: “We decided to make an unscheduled visit to the hospitals to see what is happening, what the workers are doing and whether they are working.
“This is considering the fact that a lot has been put on ground for them. We have to ensure an enabling environment for them (doctors) to function properly.
“I wanted to see whether they are on strike or not because the minister of FCT, Sen Bala Muhammad has just graciously approved the commencement of the CONHESS and paid the arrears of five months.
“So many other hospitals are on strike and we wanted to come and see for our selves, having taken this amount of money what is their attitude to work and how well is their work.
“I have seen for my self that the hospitals are functioning and they are working very well. Everybody is on his/her duty post right now,’’ the Health Secretary said.
Gbeneol said the FCT administration was putting finishing touches to the planned building of more hospitals to decongest those in existence.
“We have given the contractor handling the Karu General Hospital up to July to handover and when that one comes on stream, the one at Utako would follow soon.
“In addition to these, we are also hoping to build three other cottage hospitals.
“Those that come from the periphery to the city center will now have standard hospitals to take care of them.
“They don’t need to come to Asokoro, Maitama or Wuse and by so doing, we will have decongested the hospitals in the city centers,’’ Gbeneol said.
She advised other state governments to ensure the implementation of CONHESS to prevent the frequent strikes by doctors.
The secretary said that the administration was also making plans to recruit personnel of all cadres for new hospitals.
“We are looking at the recruitment of more doctors, consultants, medical officials, nurses, radiographers, pharmacists and medical laboratory scientists.
Our correspondent reports that the FCT Administration had earlier paid medical workers their five- month outstanding salary on the new salary structure and promised to commence the usual oversea training for doctors.
NARD had on June 22, embarked on a nationwide strike to protest the non- payment of the CONHESS.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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