Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals NAC/NEC Communique

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL AND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NAC/NEC) MEETING HELD AT THE NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS SECRETARIAT, ATAN OFFORT ROAD, UYO, AKWA-IBOM STATE BETWEEN  1^ST AND 5^TH OF APRIL, 2019

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP)  held its NAC/NEC meeting both at the Civil Service Secretariat and the Nigerian Labour Congress Secretariat Auditorium, State Secretariat, Atan Offort Road, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State between the 1^st and 5^th April, 2019.

The Union deliberated extensively on various issues ranging from Health, Socio-economic and Labour matters. The meeting had in attendance, delegates from different parts of the Country.

As part of the program, there was a lecture titled “Our food: friend or foe” delivered by the National President of the Union (Com. Dr. Obinna Chimela Ogbonna) who is a Dietician of National repute.

1. STATE OF THE UNION
2. National Elections

1. The Union felicitates with President, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo for their re-election for another term of four (4) years
2. The Union commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections even though there is still a lot of room for improvement.
3. The Union also thanked Nigerians for their participation in the elections
4. National Minimum Wage

The NEC appreciates the effort of the federal government on the issue of the minimum wage especially the National Assembly for passing the minimum wage bill and also Mr President for signing it into law. We eagerly await its implementation and therefore urge the state governments to take cue from the federal government and implement same for its workers.

1. Security

The Union observed the continuous loss of lives through Boko haram insurgency, armed banditry, herdsmen/farmers clashes etc. We hereby demand that our security agencies should as a matter of urgency collaborate and come up with a permanent solution to this menace.

1. STATE OF THE UNION
2. Outstanding Salaries

The union protests the continuous and illegal withholding of our members’ April and May 2018 salaries and all other withheld salaries. We consider this act as anti-labour and against the dictates of the International Labour Organization. We therefore, demand the immediate release and payment of the outstanding salaries.

1. CONHESS Adjustment

We hereby express dismay on the failure of government to adjust the CONHESS salary scale for the health Professionals as it was done for the Medical Practitioners who have been enjoying it since January 2014. We therefore, demand that the federal government should, in the spirit of fairness, justice and equity quickly adjust the CONHESS scale for the health Professionals.

1. Outstanding Arrears

The NEC observed that the federal government is owing the following arrears: promotion, skipping, call duty relativity, specialist etc. We hereby demand an immediate release and payment of these arrears.

1. Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR)

The Union is appreciative of the peaceful conclusion of the ADR especially on the areas of agreement. We therefore request the federal government to expedite action on the implementation of the agreed areas within the stipulated time frame.

1. Appointment of Ministers

For the umpteenth time, the Union protest the appointment of only medical practitioners both as Minister and Minister of State for health. We hereby demand that the President, in the spirit of fainess, justice and equity appoint at least one Minister from the Allied Health Professionals who constitute 95% of the workers in the health sector.

1.      Appointment of Chief Medical Directors (CMD) and Medical     Directors (MD)

NEC in session rejects the practice of the federal Ministry of health and federal health institutions which continue to violate the provisions of the decree (10) of 1985 in the advertorials for the appointment of CMDs and MDs. NEC recommends that all such advertorials should be made in line with extant laws.

1. Headship of Professions/Departments

The NEC rejects the illegal imposition of one distinct profession as head over another. Such as the Pathologists over the Medical Laboratory Scientists; the Radiologists over the Radiographers; the Ophthalmologists over the Optometrists; etc. We therefore demand complete professional autonomy whereby every distinct profession heads itself.

1. Victimization

The Union hereby report the victimization of some of our members at various centres across the country who participated in duly directed industrial actions by the National Executive of the Union. A very good example is that of a Radiographer who was unjustly sacked at the Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Delta State. This is against International labour practices and principle of collective bargaining. We hereby demand that this practice should be stopped forthwith and the victims be reinstated with all their entitlements paid without delay.

1. National Delegates Conference (NDC)

The NEC further resolved that her NDC will hold in June 2019 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nassarawa State.

CONCLUSION

The NEC hereby implores government at all levels to ensure the implementation of policies and programs that will bring succour to the workers and the generality of the people of Nigeria.

The Union appreciates His Excellency, the Governor of Akaw-Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel; the Head of Civil Service of Akwa-Ibom State, Mrs Ekereobong Akpan for accepting to chair the opening ceremony of the meeting; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture who represented Head of Service; the Akwa-Ibom State Commissioner of Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, ably represented by the Director of Medical Services, Dr Augustine Udo; the Akwa-Ibom State Commissioner of Economic Development, Manpower Planning and Labour, Mr Ekong Sampson; and the Permanent Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Mrs Stella Etuk Akpan represented by Dr Aniefiok Stephen.

The NEC also appreciates the government and people of Akwa-Ibom state in general and the Akwa-Ibom State Council of NUAHP for the wonderful hosting of the meeting and their hospitality.

Signed:

Com. Obisesan O.A

National General Secretary

Com. Dr. Ogbonna O.C.

National President.