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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, (NANNM), Benue State Council, has given the state government 15 day ultimatum to convene a high powered meeting with the union to dialogue on addressing infrastructural and other welfare challenges affecting them.
State chairman of the Association, Comrade Kershio Tahav, who stated this in Makurdi said failure of government to comply with the ultimatum, the union would have no choice but to down tools and proceed on an indefinite strike.
Briefing newsmen in Makurdi, Tahav appreciated the State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for his visible commitment to good governance and his laudable strides in the health and infrastructural sectors.
The further lauded him for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries, which has restored hope and dignity to Benue workers, the implementation of the new minimum wage and upward review of their salary structure, which has significantly improved workers’ welfare.
Tahav also acknowledged the payment of hazard allowance, recognizing the sacrifices of healthcare workers, especially nurses and midwives who risk their lives daily to serve humanity, the massive road construction projects and the ongoing industrialization efforts that are gradually transforming the economic landscape of our dear state.
“Your Excellency, these achievements are deeply appreciated, and they reinforce our faith in your administration’s commitment to justice, fairness, and human development.”
He, however, noted that despite these commendable steps, several outstanding issues continue to undermine the morale, motivation, and productivity of nurses and midwives in Benue State.
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“These unresolved matters have reached a critical point, prompting our union to issue a 15-day ultimatum to the Benue State Government, within which meaningful actions must be taken to address them.
“The issues include but are not limited to the Expunging Nurses and Midwives from the Contributory Pension Scheme. The inclusion of nurses and midwives in the contributory pension retirement scheme has continued to create confusion and insecurity about our pension and gratuity entitlements.
“We demand the immediate expungement of nurses and midwives from the scheme just as it has been done to the military and the police.
He also said that several members still have unpaid salary arrears spanning months, causing undue financial hardship urging the state government to clear them without delay and adding that many nurses who have been duly promoted have yet to enjoy the financial benefits attached to their new ranks.
The nurses demanded immediate implementation of all promotions and payment of all accrued promotion arrears.
They also highlighted other challenges such as unpaid salary arrears, denial of uniform allowances including rural allowances and accrued arrears, decayed infrastructures, gross shortage of manpower, non – payment of Leave grant, among others.
Rhe association called on the Governor to wade into the unjust denial of confirmation of several nurses at the Federal University of Science and Teaching Hospital Otukpo.
Tahav expressed the hope of the council that Governor Alia, a man known for fairness and empathy, will swiftly intervene and ensure that these issues are resolved in the interest of justice, industrial harmony, and the well-being of the people of Benue.
