The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Friday rejected the ruling of the National Industrial Court directing the association to suspend its strike “with immediate effect.”
The doctors had on August 1, embarked on strike over “outstanding allowances and payment of salaries”, among other issues.
The judge, Bashir Alkali, in his ruling on Friday, said the federal government was able to show that lives will be lost if the application is not granted.
“It is my firm belief that if the court does not intervene at this stage, there is no amount of money that can compensate for the lives of Nigerians who would lose their lives if the members of the defendants continue with their strike,” the judge ruled.
However, in a communique jointly signed by the President and Secretary of NARD, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, and Jerry Isogun, repectively, the association accused the court of denying the doctors fair hearing by refusing to hear their objection, before taking the government’s application for interlocutory injunction.
“We are not satisfied with the ruling. After consultations with our lawyers, we have instructed our lawyers to appeal the ruling and file an application for stay of execution,” the statement said.
“Also, our lawyers drew the attention of the court to our application for stay of execution of the ex parte order and that the court should take that application first. The court insisted that the government application would be taken first.
“On 15/9/21, the court ordered all parties to resume negotiations. The government refused to resume negotiations in line with the order of 23/8/21. Our lawyers reported this development to the court. We have demonstrated good faith and would continue to do so.”
The association asked its members to remain calm and resolute, adding that justice shall be served at the end of the day.
