SCORES of doctors and workers at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri took to the streets again on Tuesday, disrupting economic and social activities as they marched to press for the resignation or sack of their Chief Medical Officer (CMD), Dr. Angela Uwakwe.

The medical and allied health workers have been on strike for over two months over their agitations, having accused the CMD of highhandedness and such inhuman policies as the Public Private Partnership (PPP), which they claim could lead to mass retrenchment in the institution.

Placards-carrying protesters blocked the FMC gates on Tuesday chanting solidarity songs and castigating the CMD and in the process causing a gridlock on Orlu Road and the adjourning areas. They vowed not to resume work unless Uwakwem resigns or is sacked.

Governor Rochas Okorocha had about two weeks ago pleaded with the workers to return to work, to no avail. Meanwhile, security agents simply barricaded the institution to avoid violence while calmly guarding the protesters.

Though Uwakwem was not available for comments, an anonymous close ally told The Guardian that the allegations against her were baseless, adding that the CMD would not yield to the demands.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Security Council on Tuesday set up a committee to work with judicial and prisons officials in decongesting the prisons in the state.

Secretary to the Imo State Government (SSG), Jude Ejiogu, said the Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, and Chief Judge, Justice Paschal Nnadi, are key members of the panel.

Another committee, headed by Madumere, was equally set up to make peace between the host community and workers at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.

In another development, Okorocha has held a crucial meeting with labour leaders in the state to end their differences. Last week, a joint action union of labour unions called the “Organised Labour” had given the governor till this week to pay the workers’ salary arrears running into several months.