Seven months after the Federal Government approved the increase of hazard allowance to health workers in its healthcare facilities across the country, implementation of the allowances is yet to commence.
President, Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Dare Ishaya, who confirmed the development, blamed the Federal Ministry of Finance for the delay in releasing the money and explained that the hazard allowance was budgeted.
“We’re thinking that we will make progress, but the things I’m seeing on the ground are not favorable. The problem is with the Ministry of Finance actually; the money has been budgeted but they have not released the money for us to benefit from it. We haven’t been able to find out what exactly the issues are because seven months down the line, there’s no plan. This month is already gone as well.
“We found out from the Accountant-General’s office that they are using the old payroll and the old hazard rate. There is no directive from the Ministry of Finance to effect the new hazard allowance.
“I’ve gone there (Ministry of Finance) several times, I’ve been blocked. I’ve not been able to see the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, in the ministry; the only person I know I have been able to speak to is the director of cash management in that ministry. This is a low level of engagement and I wouldn’t say there is progress because they may come up tomorrow and deny that they are not aware of anything.
“The money is there; it’s been budgeted for, but it’s remaining for it to be released for payment. If it was not budgeted, we will blame the authorities responsible for the budgeting.
“We have given an ultimatum; we have followed up and it seems not to be working.
“We have written to the Ministry of Finance; it took them almost three weeks before the letter got to the table of the minister; we wrote them before the communiqué and ultimatum,” Dr. Ishaya said.
Recall that in December 2021, the Federal Government through a circular with reference SWC/S/04/S.218/11/406 dated December 22, 2021, by the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission, approved the allowance.
Part of the circular read: “Concerning the review of the hazard allowance applicable to health workers in the services of the federal hospitals, medical centers, and clinics in ministries, departments, and agencies.
“The hazard allowance was reviewed to a flat rate that ranges from N5,000 to between N15,000 and N34,000 for health workers on the CONHESS salary structure, while doctors on CONMESS had theirs reviewed from N5,000 to between N32,000 and N40,000.”
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