The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly step in and resolve the lingering industrial disharmony created from disagreements between workers of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri and its top management cadre.

 

In a letter to Buhari which was signed by the union president, Ayuba Wabba, the NLC requested Buhari to take a quick and decisive action on recommendations made by the board of FMC, Owerri, that the top management of the medical centre be suspended to pave way for thorough investigation of alleged corrupt practices in the institution.

 

A  copy of the letter was made available to THISDAY Friday in Abuja by the NLC, amongst other things, alleged that the Medical Director of FMC Owerri,  Dr. Angela Uwakwem and the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute may have connived to frustrate the implementation of the board recommendations.

 

Workers at the FMC Owerri had been on a six weeks strike in protest of claims of underhand financial dealings by the top management of the institution. NLC claimed that there were evidences of corrupt financial practices by the top hierarchy of the hospital as uncovered by its board.

 

 

"You might wish to know, sir, that a prima facie case of gross financial misconduct and embezzlement has already been established against the Medical Director.

 

“This was by way of an illegal virement of personnel costs meant to pay staff promotion arrears for   2013 and 2014, the siphoning of funds meant for the running of the centre through channels of a questionable privatisation process of some sections and services rendered by the hospital.

 

"It was on the strength of the prima facie case established by the board that the FMC Owerri board halted the privatisation process and passed a resolution that the Managing Director and indicted members of her Top Management Committee (TMC) should proceed on compulsory leave to enable a full investigation to take place as prescribed by law and the public service rules.

 

“But she and the compromised members of the TMC have refused to budge, leveraging on their ally, the Permanent Secretary’s cover for their nefarious acts and an utter disregard to the powers and authority of the Board of the institution to make recommendations to Mr. President on matters of this nature", the petition said.

 

NLC explained that the workers' strike was in protest of the utter contempt for the rule of law in the wake of established corrupt practices against the top management of the institution.

 

It added:  "This condemnable situation has been worsened by the outright refusal of the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute to bring to Mr. President's attention for approval, the management board's resolution which recommended that the Managing Director and the top management proceed on leave to pave way for a thorough investigation into the matter.

 

"This was the background to the indefinite strike action of workers in the medical centre, which has now gone on for the past six weeks, with dire consequences. This perpetuation of illegality and illegitimacy by the MD and her team, we strongly believe, must not be allowed to continue.

 

“Similarly, the permanent secretary must not be allowed to continue to usurp the powers of the president by holding onto the board's recommendation to you.

 

NLC therefore asked Buhari to consider and approve as necessary the recommendations of the board or give a directive as it fits the current circumstances.

 

"A decisive action, Your Excellency, shall surely restore our confidence that under your watch, it is zero tolerance to corruption and impunity.

 

“Furthermore, the urgent payment of all outstanding entitlements of the affected workers shall go a long way in enthroning greater productivity and better industrial harmony in the centre," the letter stated.

 

By: Chineme Okafor 

This day