Governor Oshiomhole Vs Health Workers   

• Gov. Adams Oshiomhole.

BENIN: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has dismissed the ongoing industrial action in the health sector in the state as mere blackmail. He explained that he asked the Joint Action Committee, Edo State Hospitals Management Board and doctors to come and let them discuss, but on the condition that the strike should first be called off. But they refused. He said that he even asked them to meet with the Head of Service so that solution could be found but the workers were not ready.

The Governor then asked rhetorically: “How do you implement workers’ pay without negotiation?” He said that, having been a labour leader himself, he knows that one must first of all negotiate before one asks for implementation.

He, therefore, considered the strike in the health sector as cheap blackmail, adding that even the federal government that approved the new Consolidated Health Salary Structure is facing a strike by its own health workers. He further asked, which of the state in the federation has implemented the salary structure? Is it Lagos, or Oyo State? Which state in the whole 36 states? He asked.

He wondered why, on any slight provocation, health workers would go on strike. An example, he said, was when a medical doctor was kidnapped. “While they were on strike, patients died and the kidnapped doctor was released. But can they bring to life the dead?” He asked.

But Dr. Onabulele Osahon, the Nigeria Medical Association Chairman, Edo State chapter, said  the government’s accusation of blackmail is not correct. He added: “I spearheaded salary increase nationwide. The cost implication was given to the government which promised to build it into the 2010 Budget. On 27 December, 2009 at a fresh meeting, the governor publicly declared that health workers should not fear and that as soon of House of Assembly passed the 2010 Budget, it would be implemented without delay.”

He added that the health workers forwarded a letter to the government to give commitment but the government was not ready. The workers, therefore, gave 21 days to the government after which they extended the strike by seven days.

Osahon asked rhetorically:  When the governor was negotiating on behalf of the federal government with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, did they call off their strike until they reached an amicable settlement?

– Reported by Yomi Obaditan.