FG commences payment of hazard allowance to health workers’ June 12

TRACKING___The federal government has undertaken to pay two months arrears of hazard allowance to health workers in the frontline battling the COVID-19 pandemic.Speaking at a meeting between representatives of the federal government and Health Professional Associations, the Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige said the hazard allowance for the months of April and May would be paid before June 12.The decision, he said, was part of the agreement reached between the federal government representatives led by him and representatives of the health sector workers.Dr. Ngige said the urgent approval granted by President Mohammed Buhari for the payment of the hazard allowance was in appreciation of the efforts of health workers in risking their lives on the frontline in the fight against COVID 19.“We reviewed all and also reviewed all the emoluments that we are to give these gallant workers who are at the frontline taking the risk for all of us and the federal government side has given them the financial implication of what they have done.“We have fixed a timeline for ourselves that before the end of this week, the health workers captured in that particular COVID-19 net; frontline workers should get all their hazard and inducement allowances for the month of April and May before the close of the week,” the minister revealed.He added that the decision on the commencement of the implementation of the allowances was reached along with the accountant-general of the federation and the minister of health.Ngige further said that the federal government has approved insurance coverage for the health workers, adding that the gesture was in consonance with the memorandum of understanding entered into on April 21, between the federal government representatives, the health professionals and unions in the health sector.Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, said the ministry would ensure the provision of PPE’s to various hospitals.