BREAKING: NARD Strike: Court To Rule On Doctors, FG Dispute Friday

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has adjourned till Friday to rule on a case between the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Federal Government.

Recall that the court had on August 23 ordered the federal government (Ministry of Health) and the doctors to suspend “all forms of hostilities” pending the determination of a suit filed against the resident doctors by the federal government.

THE WHISTLER had reported that NARD embarked on an indefinite strike action on August 2, 2021, following what it described as the federal government’s failure to address issues in the health sector, ranging from non-payment of House Officers’ salaries to salary shortfall of resident doctors from 2014 to 2016, amongst others.

Our Correspondent learnt that FG and NARD’s counsels on Wednesday agreed to settle gray areas in their ongoing negotiation.

As such, Justice B.A. Alkali, adjourned to enable both parties to negotiate and return to brief the court on the progress made.

“As agreed by Counsels, this matter is adjourned to September 17 for ruling,” Justice B.A. Alkali said.

When the court rose, Femi Falana SAN told newsmen that resident doctors were ready to go back to work if FG does the needful.

“What happened in court was that we are ready to proceed with the matter but we have challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case and as well as challenging the Contempt proceedings by the FG.

“While we were in court, we had consultation with FG’s counsel, we will like to come back on Friday to report on the settlement we have made,” he said.