Stop Threaten Me With Strike; I Won’t Pay You – Wike Sends Strong Warning To Resident Doctors
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has warned resident doctors in the nation’s capital not to threaten him with embarking on strike.
Wike, who spoke on Thursday while addressing the doctors on various issues that concerned them, said they would not be paid if they go ahead with the industrial action.
The minister said, “Make your recommendations, and we will see the ones we can do and those we can’t do. Don’t threaten me with a strike because I don’t like it. When you go on strike, I save money; even if you come back, I won’t pay; we will determine it in court.”
“It’s not about promises but the reality on ground, I don’t believe in theory,” he insisted.
He said, “In Nigeria, we always talking about the increment of this, shortage of manpower, and allowances whether hazards or non-hazards but nobody talks about where are the resources.”
“I was just reading the file the Permanent Secretary sent to me about salaries and allowances in FCT. The salary a month is N8billion and I am not talking about the increment now. Now, what are we dependent on? Internally Generated Revenue. I am sure you are one of those who criticise. Who has agreed to pay the taxes that all these increments, payment of hazards, and all these and that we must tell ourselves the simple truth?
“The recurrent expenditure is such that I cannot build infrastructure. When I was in Rivers State I was doing 70-30; 70 infrastructure and 30 recurrent. … look at the budgeting system, look at what they set in the budget something that will not help society, just we, me, me,” he lamented.
“We will work out and look at what we can do and look out where we can get funds to pay but please let us work together, we know that where you work is where you are supposed to get your wages. I am not going to be a hindrance for you not to improve your services.”
“Training is necessary I don’t know why anybody should not give out money for the training of their doctors, without that you wouldn’t be up to date; I think that one is not negotiable but don’t say increase money no, but let us pay you what has already been there; then you manage because when you seek for increment now, other bodies will come for their own.”
