We Have Not Called Off The Strike, NMA Insists

 

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has denied that it has called off its planned strike billed to commence on Wednesday, a statement by its president, Osahon Enabulele said on Tuesday.

The statement said “It has been brought to our attention that there is news making the rounds that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called off the proposed strike action for Wednesday 18th December, 2013.

“We wish to inform our members and members of the public to disregard any such information and to proceed with the planned action for the withdrawal of service from Wednesday 18th December, 2013 until the EDM empowered National Executive Council (NEC) decides otherwise” the statement added.

The association had directed its members across the country to begin a nationwide warning strike from Wednesday, December 18.

After the union’s emergency delegates’ conference in Minna, the Niger State capital, The national president, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, told reporters that the industrial action became inevitable after the talks between the union and the Federal Government broke down.

“After the warning strike, the union will have no choice but to go on an indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to meet our demand.

“For now, what we have issued as a test to the commitment of government is a warning strike. We hope the Federal Government would rise up to its responsibilities and use this opportunity to address the issues presented to it because if this fails, we may have no choice than to declare a total strike.

“We feel the Federal Government is either taking us for a ride or the strategy being employed by us is not appreciated. Handling our issues with levity is what has led us to declare this warning strike action,” Dr. Enabulele said.

He said that the five days warning strike would give allowance to the medical workers, whom he said were agitating for a total action because they had been pushed to their limit.

“NMA has sought to evolve a new strategy of engagement believing that government would rise up to the challenge to meet up with this new reality but unfortunately, as much as we try to see how we can evolve a new strategy of engagement, we have a governance system that is extremely slow to respond to issues.