LABOURlabour@dailytrust.com Labour to picket Health Ministry Thursday

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), have concluded arrangements to picket the Ministry of Health on January 26,this year.

The unions’ planned action was necessitated by what they described as the inaction of the minister in respect of their request for the removal of Dr. Angela Uwakem, the indicted Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.

They said in a statement that Dr. Angela Uwakem was sent on suspension on July 29, 2015, following allegations of acts of serious corruption, to enable unfiltered investigation.

According to the unions, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the end of its investigation established a prima facie case of corruption against the Medical Director and arraigned her before the State High Court in Owerri on October 11, 2016. The case was, however, shifted to November 15, 2016 following the absence of the presiding judge during the October court date.

They said:”We were completely taken by surprise that against all extant laws of the civil service, as the supervising minister in charge of Federal Medical Centers across the country, you ordered Dr. Uwakem’s reinstatement using the police. This action of yours we strongly believe negates the spirit of the well-known anti-corruption disposition of the government you are serving.”

The unions said the action of the minister in reinstating Dr Uwakem was in flagrant violation of the Public Service Rule 030406.

They alleged that Dr. Uwakem upon her reinstatement issued queries to the whistle blowers who had caused her investigation and arraignment against the decision of the Federal Executive Council (FEC),to reward whistle blowers and protect them.

“Honorable Minister Sir, please accept this letter as a notice to occupy your office by Nigerian workers until you choose to do the right thing in this case,” the statement added