Nurses, primary school teachers and regional commission staff attacked the office of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on Thursday.
The aggrieved people have demanded the implementation of 70,000 minimum wages and reopened more than 270 major health care centers (PHCs) that have been closed for more than a month.
The protest workers fled to the FCTA Secretariat, extracted from the FCT chapter of the Nigerian Local Government Employees Union (Nulge), the Nigerian Teachers Union (NUT) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), condemned what they called the government’s neglect of public welfare and wider public health.
Chairman of NANNM-FCT James MedanSpeaking to reporters, warning that Nigeria’s already fragile health system is on the edge. He cites the country as the global ranking in maternal and infant mortality rate.
He also linked the crisis directly to the long-term closure of PHCs in the six regional committees of the FCT.
“We currently manage less than 130 nurses and midwives in these facilities. Women and children are dying because the center has been closed for more than a month,” he said. Medan said despite the release of more than $4.1 billion by the FCT minister, despite stressing the lack of health care staff and accusing the chairman of the regional committee of inaction.
According to him, workers not only require ₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦₦The minimum wage is 70,000, but also require payment of outstanding arrears, hazards and uniform allowances owed to health professionals.
He also warned that the ongoing closure of the PHC is threatening the scheduled national polio vaccination campaign in the FCT, raising concerns about a potential outbreak.
In the field of education, the Nut Chair of FCT, Abdullahi wiped it Lamenting the long strikes of primary school teachers for non-payment of the new minimum wage, saying that if the crisis persists, the collapse of the education system is coming.
The protests began on Labor Day and moved to the FCTA Secretariat in District 11, and also attracted members of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), the Nigerian Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN) and other allies.
Demonstrators blocked the opportunity to enter the Secretariat and asked the minister of FCT Nyesom Wike to resolve.
The attempt by the protesters authorized secretary Lawrence Garki to calm down failed as the crowd shouted “Thief, Thief!” This drowned out his voice, and they insisted that he was not the one they came.
“We won’t leave here until Vick comes out. We’re tired of lies and delays. Our people are suffering and the government continues to ignore us.” A protester shouted in anger
The ILO also requested the resignation of six regional council chairs, while accusing them of turning a blind eye to the plight of council staff, especially frontline workers such as teachers and health care workers.
Authorized Secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, Hayyo Danci, Later, on behalf of the minister, he spoke to the crowd.
He received their request letter and assured them that the questions raised would receive prompt attention.
