The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration has suspended its indefinite strike, with members set to return to work on Monday at 8 a.m.
President of the association, Dr George Ebong, told our correspondent on Friday that the decision followed interventions from the Senate, though none of the doctors’ demands had been met.
The ARD-FCTA, which comprises doctors in the 14 district and general hospitals and the Department of Public Health under the FCTA, began the strike last Monday after months of unresolved negotiations.
The doctors are demanding the payment of salary arrears ranging from one to six months, owed to members employed since 2023. They also want the immediate recruitment of new staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and payment of arrears from the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
Other demands include clear timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes, settlement of all accumulated arrears, correction of erroneous salary deductions, and regularisation of erratic salary payments.
They are also seeking conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months of passing, documented promotion timelines with arrears paid, wage award arrears, renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals, outstanding hazard allowance arrears, and salary arrears for newly employed external residents.
“We are suspending the strike to begin work at 8 a.m. Monday morning. The Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, chaired by David Jimkuta, intervened. Even though none of our demands have been met yet, they assured us that they will talk to the minister, and the Congress has decided to believe what the Senate has said. We also appreciate the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his interventions.
“The Congress will reassemble to reassess the interventions within the agreed timeframe, and if nothing is done, the Congress will take the next line of action,” Dr Ebong said.
