The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association has embark on a two-day warning strike commencing in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja as a step to urge the government to reverse the inclusion of senior veterinary officers in the list of Directors to be retired in compliance with the revised tenure policy for Directors in the federal civil service.
Speaking to newsmen at a protest in Abuja, the FCT Chairman of the Association, Ifeanyi Ogbu said his chapter will embark on a major shutdown, if government continues to ignore their request, an action he says would have overwhelming negative effect on veterinary activities in the country.
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In August 2023, a circular with reference no: HCSF/SPSO/268/13/2/37 was released by the Federal Government revising tenure policy of Directors who have served on the rank of GL 17 and above for years. Since then, the list of those who should exit the service has raised so much dust as veterinary practitioners have argued that they should be excluded. According to them, the practitioners join the service at grade level 12 as such would not have attained the 35 years in service and some have not reached the age of 60 as stipulated by law.
These veterinarians who have been attending to the outbreak of Anthrax, vaccinating against diseases that pose great danger on public health are threatening to withdraw animal health services in all the FCT Veterinary Clinics and treatment centres as well as public health duties in all the abattoirs and slaughters slabs across the Territory.
They called on government to exempt Chief Veterinary officers and Chief Medical Officers on Grade level 17, who are occupying a non-tenured post, subordinates and working under Directors, insisting that the aforementioned officers are not administrative heads, rather, they are highly experienced technical and field officers who carryout clinical duties, aimed at preventing animal diseases, promoting food safety and food security.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
