South East breaking News
The Abia state chairman for Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya has urged the Hospital Management Board (HMB) workers who are protesting to be patient and not to take laws into their hands.
According to him,” we reached an agreement with the Abia state government that when the MDAs are paid,HMB workers will be paid too.
“The Abia MDAs staff have not been paid,so by the time they are paid and you are not paid ,then whatever action you want to take ,I will back you people
.
” We have been monitoring them ,the Accountant General informed us that even as at last week ,the FAC money had not dropped and up to this moment ministries have not been paid.
” So this workers called me that they want to shut the gate,I told them No ,do not shut the gate because Government has not reneged .
” They went ahead and shut the gate without my permission and directives .They are not with my permission.
“Government has informed them that they are making efforts to off set the salaries,let us have patience and moreover our agreement said that they will pay HMB monthly when MDAs are being paid and MDAS have not been paid and you are taking laws into your hands , your action is not justified”
Speaking further, he appealed to Abia state government to ensure they adhere to the agreement they reached with them to be paying HMB and ABSUTH workers at the end of every month when they are paying other workers with MDAs .
Reacting to the protest organized by HMB workers,the chairman NMA Abia state ,Dr Chimezie Okwuonu ,said they have been meeting and discussing with Government on the issue of HMB and ABSUTH workers, expressing optimism that the problem will soon be solved.
The Abia state Hospital Management Board (HMB) workers protested yesterday, blocking the road as well as shut the gate to the hospital, appealing to Government of Abia state to pay them their salaries.
According to the chairperson Medical and health workers union of Nigeria HMB branch, comrade Nwokoma Chidinma,”the state government paid us one month salary out of twelve months and requested that we give them two weeks and the two weeks elapsed on 29th of April,2022.
” So we respected their decision and opened the gate and since the agreed time has elapsed,we have to come back to shut down the place”
In the same vein,the chairman Allied Committee HMB, comrade Echeta Chikezie, accused the Nigeria Labour Congress Abia state of not coming to their assistance.
” Since 2015 ,the NLC Abia state chapter and the TUC have not been helping us to fight for our course .
” I think they have compromised with the Government,there was a time,the State labour chairman chief Obigwe led us to Owerri to solve similar problem,but now is our own turn ,the NLC has refused to show interest.
” It is only the NMA and the JOHESU that have been helping us.They have been working together to get something for us and we appreciate their efforts” he said
IAM surprise that comrade ogbonnaya okoro is speaking this way. His speech reflects some element of betrayal. When shall our labour leaders ever remain resolute and trustworthy?