By Atoyebi Nike
Resident doctors under the Federal Capital Territory Administration have vowed to continue their industrial action until all outstanding demands are met, accusing authorities of reneging on commitments made months ago.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, ARD-FCTA President Dr George Ebong said the strike briefly suspended six weeks earlier following interventions by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the National Assembly resumed because none of the agreed timelines had been honoured.
He said many doctors have not been paid October salaries, describing delayed and incomplete wage payments as a recurring problem in the FCTA. He added that at least 28 doctors employed in 2023 are still owed, while newly hired external residents recruited seven months ago have yet to receive any salary.
Ebong also lamented the non-payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund for 142 doctors despite federal approval, as well as attempts by management to recruit new doctors at lower entry levels than stipulated by national standards.
The association criticised poor hospital infrastructure and warned that the FCT chapter will not suspend its strike even if the national body, NARD, ends its own.
“We have been patient enough. Our situation in the FCTA is peculiar. Until everything is implemented, we are not calling off this strike,” Ebong said.
The doctors called on the FCT Minister to intervene, alleging that bureaucratic delays within the administration are undermining his earlier approvals.
Their demands include immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears, commencement of new recruitment with strict timelines, payment of the 2025 residency training fund, correction of salary errors, implementation of skipping and conversion policies, promotion arrears, wage award payments, 25 and 35 percent CONMESS arrears, renovation of FCTA hospitals, and settlement of hazard allowance arrears.
