Governors to intervene as doctors’ strike enters 27th day

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has resolved to take a mediatory role to facilitate dialogue on the ongoing strike by resident doctors.

On August 1, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commenced strike over “irregular payment of salaries”, among other issues.

Efforts of stakeholders, including the house of representatives to mediate between the federal government and the resident doctors did not yield results.

In a bid to force the doctors  back to work, the federal government instituted a suit against the association, asking the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining members of NARD from continuing with the action.

The industrial court ruled that the doctors should resume work but the doctors have insisted on continuing with the strike until their demands are met.

Reacting to the development, the governors’ forum in a communiqué issued on Thursday by Kayode Fayemi, its chairman and governor of Ekiti state, said governors have resolved to take a mediatory role to facilitate dialogue between NARD and the affected states.

According to the communiqué, the decision was reached after an update by Ahmad Abdulwahab, the forum’s senior health advisor.

The forum also deliberated on several issues of national importance.

The forum resolved to work with the steering committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to oversee the process of the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.

It said the governors will work with the presidential committee headed by Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, on the areas of concern to the forum.

“A committee for this purpose, Chaired by the governor of Nasarawa, was constituted with the governors of Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Gombe and Kaduna states as members,” the governors said.