The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has concluded plans to employ 412 health professionals to upscale service delivery in the FCT hospitals.
Accordingly, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has already given approval to that effect.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, made this disclosure in a meeting with some officials of the Health Workers Union in Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary reiterated the zeal with which the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, is assiduously working in achieving the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration in the Territory.
Fasowe, who was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, HSES, Dr. Baba Gana Adam, said the Minister was gracious in approving the recruitment of 412 health professionals, comprising of 352 health workers and 60 external Resident Doctors to compliment the efforts of the already existing FCT Health workforce.
The Mandate Secretary added that the FCT Administration last year approved the employment of 293 health workers that were posted to different hospitals.
Her words: “Presently, those recruited last year by the Administration are on the payroll of the FCTA with 6 months salary arrears that has already been captured by the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPIS) for payment.”
Fasowe revealed that the Minister has also pledged the completion of Utako General Hospital, Gwarimpa General Hospital, and Gwagwalada cottage hospital; adding, “these are his priority projects in the health sector for the 2024 fiscal year”.
The Mandate Secretary, thus, called on Health Workers in the services of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to collectively channel their grievances through their Unions to ensure a rancour free solutions to issues rather than embarking on protest.
Fasowe said that presenting grievances through a united front, which is one of functions of workers union, should be well exploited as strike should remain the last option.
The good news is that, the FCT Administration has settled the payment of arrears, and is currently working on the upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for the period of 5 months.
In addition, the Administration has settled the Accoutrement Allowance for 5 months and the skipping arrears shortfall for members employed, she added.
Also speaking during the meeting, the Acting Director-General, FCT Hospital Management Board, Dr. Olugbenga Bello, said that the Secretariat is doing all its best to ensure the payment of the 6 months arrears; adding that presently all the concerned staff are currently receiving their monthly salary.
He requested the management to organize induction training for the newly recruited medical workers to serve as a guide on the rules and regulations governing the service.
Responding, Dr. Dan-Ebri Janet apologized on behalf of the workers expressing their ignorance of the Public Service Rules and Rules.
