FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has expressed disappointment over the recent indefinite strike embarked upon by the Association of Resident Doctors, FCT Chapter, noting that their action was targeted at blackmailing him.
The minister stated this on Wednesday at the flag-off of arterial road from Wuye District to Ring Road II-connecting to airport road.
He disclosed that his administration had budgeted 25 billion naira capital expenditure for health in the 2025 FCT budget towards addressing all the issues raised by the Association.
Wike, who further explained that he has given approval for the employment of more medical doctors for FCT hospitals as well as improved welfare packages for FCT health workers, noted that the FCT Administration just received its 2025 budget in July and was in the process of implementing it.
"We lost our head of service. We just appointed an acting head of service and I said, okay, go and check how much are they talking about. They said, oh, they've not employed doctors. I said, Chairman, Civil Service Commission, they said they've gotten a waiver.
"Fine, they need more doctors. I will not be a doctor. I'm not taught to be a doctor. Go and employ them. They said, oh, we're not talking about improving the health facilities.
"2025 budgets for capital budget for health alone, we put 25 billion naira. Ask them, when did we get our budget? We got our budget July. We got our budget July from the National Assembly," he said.
While describing their action as a sponsored attempt to sabotage his administration, Wike warned that no amount of blackmail will distract him from doing his work.
"So each time you see people, they won't ask questions. If you want to enter political party A, you are free to enter political party A. And face me when the time comes. Don't use civil service to play politics."
The National Association of Resident Doctors, FCT Chapter, declared an indefinite strike last Monday following the expiration of its earlier seven-day warning strike.
