The National Industrial Court of Nigeria NIC has ordered the striking members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors,NARD to resume work immediately.
The court order obtained by ait.live was made following an Ex-parte motion filed last week Friday by the Federal Ministry of Health, seeking for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining members of NARD from continuing further with the industrial action they embarked upon on August 2, 2021, contrary to Section 41 of the Trade Dispute Act, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
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The motion brought under Suit No: NICN/ABJ/197/2021 has the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government as 1st and 2nd Claimants/Applicants and NARD as the only Defendant/Respondent.
Upon hearing the motion Ex-parte and affidavit in support sworn by Ahmed Nasiru, the Director of Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Health, the presiding judge, Justice J.I Targema granted an order of interlocutory injunction, compelling all members of the Defendants/Respondents in all the States of the Federation to suspend the said industrial action started on August 2, 2021, and resume work immediately pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The Court held that the continued downing of tools by the striking doctors have inflicted a lot of damage on the health system and the sick especially in this times of COVID-19 pandemic.
Justice Targema further ordered that the Claimant/Applicant and the Defendant/Respondent suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The judge adjourned the matter to September 15, 2021 for the hearing of the motion on notice and any other pending application.
In a swift Reaction by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige contained in a statement by Deputy Director Press, Charles Akpan, describes the court ruling as a welcome development.
Ngige however reassured the affected doctors that the ruiling will not prevent the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages and Commission from implementating the agreements contained in the Memorandum of Understanding,MOU reached at the last meeting with the Nigerian Medical Association and affiliate associations with timelines affixed to them.
Both NMA and NARD are yet to react to the latest development, despite efforts by ait.live.
It has been over 20 days NARD started strike over a number of issues bordering on their training and welfare.
(Editor Paul Akhagbemhe)
