The Federal Government has, on Friday, approved the release of N4.5bn for the payment of the hazard and inducement allowances of the striking resident doctors in the country.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed that the Federal Government has released the money to 31 federal teaching hospitals and medical centres nationwide.
He said the sum covered hazard and inducement allowances of striking doctors for April and May.
Ngige disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after he, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo, briefed the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors.
He said: “Just this morning, before we went to see Mr President, the Ministry of Finance reported that as at this morning, 3 am, they have paid the allowances for hazard and inducement to 31 teaching and Federal Medical Centres and specialist hospitals of the Federal Government service and they have expended close to N4.5 billion on the payment because we are paying them the arrears of April and May.
“The payment for June will also be done immediately these ones are sorted out.
