Lagos State denies claims it reduced NYSC doctors salaries from N75K to 15K

Some Youth Corpers

The Lagos State Government has denied reports that it issued a directive to reduce the monthly stipend of National Youths Service Corps, (NYSC) doctors from N75,000 to N15,000 effective July 2021.

The claims were described as 'false and misleading' by Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle, the States' Commissioner for Establishments, Training, and Pensions.

Speaking to the press on Sunday, August 1, 2021, she said: “Lagos State Government has noted the decision of the National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD) to call out doctors on a strike from Monday, 2nd August 2, 2021.

“The decision followed the directive of its National Executive Committee meeting held in Umuahia on 30th July 2021.

“The communique cited, among other grievances, a purported directive from the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Special Duties, to reduce the monthly payment of NYSC Doctors from N75,000 to N15,000, effective July 2021. This claim is false and misleading.”

Ponnle said that the resolutions reached at the 42 National Council on Establishments (NCE) Meeting held in Lagos on Monday, November 30 – Friday, December 4, 2020, necessitated the issuance of a circular by the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, to communicate the decision taken at the Federal level to public servants in Lagos.

The directive was that Internship Programmes/Houseman-ship/NYSC Doctors in the Public Service should no longer attract Grade Levels in the Salary Structure as the programmes form part of the training, Linda Ikeji blog reports.

“Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu remains committed to the welfare of Lagos State Government employees, particularly the health workers who have showed commitment, bravery and resilience in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” she stated.

“The decision of NARD is hasty. We, therefore, appeal for restraint by the Lagos Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors and Nigerian Medical Association. They should wait for the conclusion of these engagements,” the commissioner added.