DOCTORS' STRIKE: JUDGE URGES PARTIES TO EMBRACE DIALOGUE

LAGOS - The National Industrial Court, Lagos,  yesterday, urged the Lagos State Government and the striking doctors to dialogue to resolve their differences.

Trial judge, Justice Benedict Kanyip, said: 'As an institute and going by Section 20 of the National Industrial Court Act 2006,  we are urging parties to continue their dialogue. I am certain a common ground will be reached.'

The court gave the advice at the hearing in suit by Dr. Olumuyiwa  Odusote and Idris  Durojaiye, on behalf of Medical Guild against the state government, adding that it would be better than any ruling or judgment of the court.

The doctors had gone on the strike on April 24 over the agreement they reached with the government on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS.

The government had on May 7 sacked 788 doctors for their absence from duty and failure to reply to queries it issued to them.

The court said if at the next adjourned date, May 22, no agreement had been reached, it was going to hear the applications  by the doctors and ordered the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Ade Ipaye,  to ensure that he kept to his word that no doctor would be ejected from his official quarters until after the hearing and determination of the suit.

The doctors are in the suit, urging the court to look into the action of the government when it decided to sack them without due process.