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Health workers in FMC Owerri start indefinite strike

health

Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri

The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria has instructed its Federal Medical Centre, Owerri chapter, to embark on an indefinite strike.

The National Secretary of the Union, Oluwafemi Obisesan, gave the instruction on Tuesday in Owerri, the Imo state capital when the workers staged a protest, demanding the immediate removal of the reinstated Chief Medical Director of FMC Owerri, Dr. Angela Uwakwem.

The Federal Ministry of Health had last week ordered the reinstatement of the embattled CMD, a decision the health workers said meant the Federal Government was aiding corruption.

Addressing the aggrieved workers in front of the centre’s gate which was barricaded by the armed policemen, led by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Taiwo Lakanu, Obisesan said that the order by Federal Ministry of Health that the troubled CMD should resume work was unjustifiable.

He accused top civil servants in the ministry of compromising professional standards and supporting corruption by ordering the reinstatement of somebody whom he alleged was removed because of corruption.

Arguing that Uwakwem’s reinstatement was against labour rules, he said, “We say no to intimidation. Rule of law must be obeyed. There should be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.

“Public service rules must be adhered to. We must remain on strike until the government does what is right. Angela must not return until she clears her case with the EFCC. “

The National President of the Union, Biobelemoye Josiah, said that the order that Uwakwem should be reinstated as the center’s CMD when she had case of corruption and financial recklessness with the Economic and Financial crimes Commission in court was an affront on the country’s rule of law.

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