Health
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THE Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria has instructed its Federal Medical Centre, Owerri chapter, to embark on an indefinite strike.
Oluwafemi Obisesan, national secretary of the union, gave the instruction on Tuesday, October 25, in Owerri, Imo state capital, when the workers staged a protest, demanding the immediate removal of Angela Uwakwem, the reinstated chief medical director of the FMC Owerri.
The federal ministry of Health, had last week, ordered the reinstatement of Uwakwem, a decision the health workers regarded as aiding corruption.
Addressing the aggrieved workers in front of the centre’s gate which was barricaded by the armed policemen, led by Taiwo Lakanu, commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Obisesan condemned the order by federal ministry of Health that the embattled CMD should resume work calling it unjustifiable.
The union leader accused top civil servants in the ministry of compromising professional standards and supporting corruption by ordering the reinstatement of somebody whom he alleged was removed because of corruption.
Arguing that Uwakwem’s reinstatement was against labour rules, he said, “We say no to intimidation. Rule of law must be obeyed. There should be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.
“Public service rules must be adhered to. We must remain on strike until the government does what is right. Angela must not return until she clears her case with the EFCC.”
Biobelemoye Josiah, national president of the union, said that the order that Uwakwem should be reinstated as the centre’s CMD when she had case of corruption and financial recklessness with the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC, in court was an affront on the country’s rule of law.
— Oct 25, 2016 @ 16:40 GMT
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