JOHESU, FMC bicker over N250m fraud allegation

MWHUN condemns workers’ strike, suspends chairman 

THE ongoing strike embarked by the members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Meta, Lagos branch, took another dimension yesterday as management of the hospital and the union members are bickering over alleged misappropriation of the N250 million covering 2013 and 2014 promotion arrears meant for non-medical doctors in the hospital.

FMC management however, said it has not received the money, with FMC JOHESU insisting the management has misappropriated the said money.

JOHESU FMC branch Chairman, Mr. Adekunle Shehu made the allegation yesterday while reacting to accusations by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Federal Area Council, Lagos, that the six–week strike embarked upon by his members was not only illegal but was meant to deceive members of MHWUN to work against the interest of the latter.

Chairman, MHWUN, Federal Area Council, Lagos, Mr. Stephen Ibe yesterday said the strike was illegal and embarrassing to the national union.

The Federal Area Council of MHWUN oversees the activities of its members in federal medical institutions in Lagos, including that of FMC, Ebute Metta. Speaking yesterday at the conference, Ibe explained that his members in JOHESU has not adhered to laid down rules of embarking on strike, adding that his investigations have revealed that no hospital in Nigeria has received the 2013 and 2014 promotion arrears.

Ibe therefore, urged members of FMC MHWUN, Ebute Metta, to return to work immediately, warning that there may be strong consequence for those who refuse to resume work. Ibe also announced he suspension of FMC MHWUN Chairman, Mr. Julius Achonwa and Secretary, Mr. Chijioke Ejiofor, for misleading members of the union to embark on the strike.

Shehu, the JOHESU FMC branch Chairman explained that a source, whom he referred to as a sympathizer at the Budget Office of the Federal Ministry of Health had told his members in Abuja when the latter went to make enquiries about the state of the money, that FMC management had not only collected the arrears but had gone ahead, in collusion with some officials in the ministry to destroy files and evidence that the money has been paid to the hospital.

In a quick rebuttal, FMC Medical Director, Dr. Yewande Jinadu, described the allegation as false, adding that the hospital has not received the two- year promotion arrears.

Jinadu told The Guardian over the phone yesterday that FMC management had not received the 2013 and 2014 promotional arrears, adding, “The national and state executives of JOHESU have gone further to investigate and find out that the allegation is false”, forcing the union to call for an end to the ongoing strike. “However, as it is common with human beings, it is very difficult for the branch chairmen to now go back to their members and say they lied. They are having difficulties in doing that,” Jinadu said.

Jinadu also refuted the allegation that she had bribed the MHWUN members and some officials of the Federal Ministry of Health to render the strike useless, explaining that the hospital promotional arrears for each year does not exceed N20 million, as against the N250 million being alleged by FMC JOHESU.