Katsina FMC director denies calling striking workers non-indigenes

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

The Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Katsina, Dr. Abdulmajid Umar has denied ever alleging that non-indigene health personnel were responsible for the strike action embarked upon by the staff of the centre.

The director made the denial, yesterday while reacting to allegations by the joint health workers union of the centre that he allegedly in a recent media interview accused non-indigene workers as been responsible for the strike action.

He said “I did not say non-indigene staff were responsible for the strike action. In the interview they are referring to, which I granted the NTA, Katsina station, I did not say so; the tape of the interview is with the NTA and they can therefore obtain it and verify”.

Similarly, Umar also denied the allegation that he was behind the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPS), stressing the system was introduced by the Federal Government and according to him affects all staff on its employment.

He noted that the delay in the payment of some workers salary was as a result of the discrepancies identified in the IPPS, adding ” the non-payment of some staff salary also affect me as up to now I’m yet to receive my salary”.

Earlier in a press conference, the chairman of the joint health sector union of the centre, Comrade Isa Abubakar Adejo accused the medical director of allegedly accusing the non-indigene staff of the centre as brains behind the strike.

He asked ” If he said non-indigenes are behind the strike, then we are tempted to ask: Why are Katsina indigenes of the centre are not in their duty post? This statement is unfortunate and an attempt to set-up Katsina people against the non-indigenes”.