FMC Owerri Staff Call For Removal Of Medical Director

The feud between the management and staff of the Federal Medical
Centre, Owerri took a new dimension on Friday when hundreds of staff
of the medical centre took to the streets of Owerri the Imo State
capital.

Carrying placards with various derogatory inscriptions calling for the
removal of their Medical Director, Dr Angela Uwakem, they alleged
financial misappropriation and virement, high-handedness and
victimization.

The protesting staff who gathered under 3 different unions; National
Union of Allied and Health Professionals, Medical and Health Workers
Union of Nigeria and National Association Of Nigeria Nurses And
Midwives, FMC chapter, alleged that the personnel funds released by
the Accountant-General of the Federation in 2014 for the 2013/2014
promotion arrears meant for workers' welfare was vired into capital
projects in the centre knowing fully well that virement is a serious
offence in the Nigerian constitution.

They also accused her of victimizing staff who did not support her
proposal of privatizing some departments and units in the centre.

While explaining to newsmen the cause of their grievances, the
Chairman of the FMC chapter of the National Union of Allied and Health
Professional, Clifford Ezeukwu, accused the Medical Director of
financial misappropriation, victimization, high-handedness and
non-payment of staff promotional arrears which has been approved by
the federal government.

He went further to allege that through a dubious means, the Medical
Director vired the promotional arrears of staff into capital projects
which is an offence under the law. She was also accused of
high-handedness, victimization and employment racketeering.

It was not the first or second time staff of Federal Medical Centre
Owerri would be protesting against their management. To paint a more
serious scenario this time, they were all clad in black attire.

Before ending-up their protest at the hospital premises, they walked
the streets of Owerri causing heavy traffic gridlock, chanting songs
and showing off red cards and whistles connoting 'time up' for the
Medical Director.

The protesters called on the outgoing government of President Goodluck
Jonathan and the incoming president, General Muhammadu Buhari to probe
the activities of the Medical Director.

They also advised that she resigns her job honourably, adding that as
at time of the protest, members of the various unions have embarked on
an indefinite strike until the federal government intervenes in the
matter.

The Medical Director, Dr Angela Uwakwem, was not available to respond
to the allegations, having being told that she was in a board meeting.
The Acting Board Chairman of FMC Owerri, Senator Onyeka Okoroafor, who
was about joining the board meeting, addressed the protesters on
behalf of the management.

He said that a committee would be set up to look into all the
allegations levelled against the Medical Director saying no matter the
circumstance, no action will be taken unilaterally without the consent
of the union.

However, for peace to reign on the centre, he urged the workers to go
back to their duty posts as all matters would be addressed
accordingly.