Gbenro Adesina
Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Wednesday August 12, 2020, announced the approval of certain incentives to all health workers in the payroll of the state government.
Among the incentives announced during his visitation to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) were payment of 2014 corrected Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), payment of COVID-19 hazard allowance with effect from March March when the first case of Coronavirus was reported in the state, increased subvention to cover payment of minimum wage, payment of 2016 and 2017 arrears and payment of the salaries of 177 members of staff, who were recalled.
In his speech, Makinde pointed out that LAUTECH staff would not be exempted from all these incentives.
Assuring that all these payments would be made by the end of August, the governor added that he has equally approved the implementation of residency training and placement of doctors, who have completed their residency training from 2021.
He reiterated that, although, most of the problems confronting the teaching hospital were inherited from the previous administration adding, “We are committed to resolving them while at the same time, ensuring that the good people of Oyo State reap all the benefits of good governance”.
He described himself as the peoples servant saying, “The servant will listen to the bosses. So, I have to listen to you. I have met with the resident doctors in Abuja and then in Ibadan, we had a lager meeting. They placed some requests in front of us. We went back to the book and we saw that we can accede to those requests and we have done that”.
The governor also said that all the abandoned projects by the past administrations would be completed before the expiration of his tenure.
Speaking further, he said, “I have also given approval for the implementation of pilot study on semi autonomy for selected secondary healthcare facilities. In another one month, we will start a process of putting together the 2021 budget. Yes, we have challenges. We never knew that there will be Covid-19 pandemic. That has slowed things down a little bit for us. All the front line soldiers in the fight against the virus know all the challenges they are facing and I know that everyone know the challenges this virus has brought to us. You know that this virus is not going to go away next week, not even next month. We all have to learn to live with it and go about our business in a manner that does not increase the risk and in a manner that will make our people to have the right attitude toward the risk perception of the virus. But our lives will not stop because of the virus. With your dedication and your support, we will all fight this virus to a standstill”.
He continued, “So, for 2021, there is a budget provision for residency training act and placement of doctors that have completed their residency training. We need to place them at consultant level. That, by the grace of God, we will start the implementation from 2021. I know there is ongoing recruitment of new medical staff in the state by Oyo State Hospital Management Board. We believe the exercise is open. It should be credible. You do not need to have a godfather to be employed into the Oyo State Hospital Management Board. I know they are moving towards physical interview. I have asked the board to considered those that have missed out in the recruitment exercise, who have genuine justifications to miss out”.
The Governor pointed out that the government could not do all things alone, hence, he stated that the oxygen plant in LAUTECH would be completed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
“This is the first time you have elected somebody without godfather, but only God the Father and your self. so you should not be surprised that we have to listen to you and create. Before, there is trust deficit between the government and the people because government will say something it does not intend to fulfill. Over the years, there has been that trust issue. We are bridging the gap by making sure that we do what we promise”, he added
