Health workers protest against Presidency, EFCC, accuses Health Ministry of promoting corruption

Health workers protesting alleged corruption in Health Ministry in Abuja, yesterday

The health workers who gathered in their numbers at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, as early as 7.00 am, carried placards and chanted labour songs, asking the Presidency to call the

Minister to order.

National Chairman  of JOHESU, Dr. Biobelemoye Josiah, highlighted the concerns of the workers.

His words: “We have watched with keen interest at unfolding events in the Federal Ministry of Health’s handling of some matters especially as it affects the conduct of her officers in sensitive areas and wish to observe that their acts are not in tandem with President Muhammadu Buhari’s posture on corruption and his efforts to stamp out same in our public milieu.

“It is no longer news that the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri,   has for quite some time now been embroiled in crisis bordering on corruption by the Medical Director of the Centre, Dr. Angela Ukwakwem. This situation led to her suspension and subsequent arrangement at the Owerri State High Court II by the EFCC on charges of corruption related matters.”

The petition which was submitted to the Presidency after the protest ready: “We have continued to express our shock that even when she is yet to be cleared by the courts, she has been reinstated against the Public Service Rules provision in section 030404, 030406, 030409 and 030411, etc, which provide for the suspension of an accused public officer until cleared by a judicial panel or court of law of competent jurisdiction.

“We see the reinstatement of the suspended Medical Director as an attempt to provide her the opportunity of distorting and destroying evidence, especially unmovable ones that would be used against her in court.

“Against this background, we wish to ask some pertinent questions:  Is it true that Dr. Angela Uwakwem is under explicit protection of the Presidency; is this act in tandem with the anti-corruption war of Mr. President; what is the fate of genuine whistle blowers who ordinarily must be protected within the ambit of the law?”

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, noted that after investigations, the Federal Ministry of Health had decided that the substantive management of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, led by Dr.  Uwakwem, should resume its functions immediately and shall be supported by a team from the Federal Ministry of Health Abuja.

“It is important to note that Dr. (Mrs.) Uwakwem, like all medical directors, is a presidential appointee. The due process that was followed in her appointment must also be followed, should there be a case for termination. Should evidence of misconduct be found against her, Dr. Uwakwem will answer for it and face the law. No person shall be protected from justice. Since Dr. Uwakwem’s 4 year tenure is valid until 2017 and no evidence of misconduct against her was raised by a ministerial fact finding commission, the Ministry desires rule of law to prevail over mob action,” he stressed.