Doctors Begin Nationwide Strike, Wednesday

L-R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, Minister of State, Dr Samuel Ortom and Deputy President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Steve Ayorinde, at the close of the 3rd Annual Seminar for Trade and Investment Correspondents and Editors in Abuja last Saturday. Photo: NAN

Nigerians are in for another hard time as the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) begins a five-day nationwide warning strike on Wednesday.

The association also threatened to embark on an indefinite and total strike if the federal government fails to use the window of the 5 day warning strike to meet all her demands.

NMA President Dr. Osahion Enabulele who spoke with reporters in Minna yesterday after the National Executive Committee meeting and an Emergency Delegates Congress of the association said the association was constrained to declare the industrial action due to the extremely poor progress in the resolution of their demands after expiration of several ultimatums issued to the federal government.

The NMA President lamented that unions now have to resort to strike because government “seems not to appreciate the need for constructive dialogue but only respond to strike actions.”

Describing the development as a sad reflection of the state of affairs in the country, the NMA President bemoaned that industrial strikes have become the routine in the country today.

Enabulele threatened further that if the warning strike fails, the association would have no other choice than to resort to total strike.

“For now, what we have issued as a test to the commitment of government is a warning strike. We hope the federal government would rise up to its responsibilities and use this opportunity to address the issues presented to it because if this fails, we may have no choice than to declare a total strike action. “We feel the federal government is either taking us for a ride or the strategy being employed by us is not appreciated. Handling our issues with levity is what has led us to declare this warning strike action, ”he said.

He further said members felt they have been pushed to their limits but they considered the delicate period and the interest of Nigerians which they have at hand.

“The reason for the strike being five days is to give allowance to our people. Our  members were agitating for a total action because they felt they have been pushed to their limit but we recognize that this is a delicate period and Nigerians need to be given some allowance during this period. We hope the federal government will utilize the opportunity to resolve the issue on ground,” he said.