By Muhammad Amaan
The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has appealed to members of the FCT chapter of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend their indefinite strike, assuring them that their grievances will be urgently addressed.
At an emergency meeting in Abuja, the committee chaired by Senator David Jimkuta met with leaders of the striking doctors and promised to escalate the matter directly to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Senator Jimkuta urged the doctors to return to work while discussions continue, stressing that lives were at stake.
“We are pleading with you, please return to work and continue saving lives. I will personally meet with the Minister tomorrow. I am confident something concrete will come out of it. We cannot stand by while people die because doctors are on strike,” he said.
The committee commended the doctors for what it described as a selfless struggle, noting that their demands were geared toward strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system rather than personal gain.
The FCT chapter of NARD had declared an indefinite strike last week over unresolved issues, including unpaid salary arrears from 2023, unexplained deductions from allowances, and the non-upgrade of resident doctors who have completed specialist training but are still being paid as medical officers.
To fast-track resolution, the Senate committee proposed a joint session involving the National Assembly, the FCT health administration, and representatives of the doctors to enable direct negotiations and ensure a lasting solution.
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said he has approved the demands of the resident doctors that have been on strike since September 15 over unpaid arrears.
The minister this known during the flag off of the construction of the Northern parkway.
Wike commended them for calling off the strike in the interest of patients and the territory, saying all the files containing the requests on his table have been duly signed.
He directed the FCT acting Head of Service with the Senior Special Adviser on administration, Samuel Atang to act accordingly.
“I must commend the resident doctors for calling off the strike, the administration is happy with their understanding. I have signed all the doctor’s requests on my table today,” Wike said.
It would be recalled that the doctors had embarked on strike last Monday to press home their demands after months of unresolved negotiations with the FCTA.
The doctors are demanding amongst others the payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months, owed to members employed since 2023.
They also want the immediate recruitment of new staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and payment of arrears arising from the 25/35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
In addition, they are asking for clear timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes for all members, along with the settlement of all accumulated arrears.
