The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in Kogi State has voiced its concerns regarding the failure to implement the approved new salary structure, CONMESS 2024. Following an emergency meeting in Lokoja, the doctors expressed their dissatisfaction over the non-payment of the arrears for the new minimum wage for October 2024, which the state government had promised. Dr. Ameh Friday, the ARD President of Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja, spoke on behalf of the doctors, urging Governor Ahmed Ododo to step in and address the issue.
He stated, “Doctors serving the Kogi State Government have expressed their deep dissatisfaction regarding the non-implementation of the approved new salary structure, CONMESS 2024.” He noted that many members voiced their grievances about being excluded from the minimum wage implementation in October.
“In October 2024, the government graciously approved the new salary structure, CONMESS 2024, for doctors in the state. This was intended to motivate the already struggling doctors and to address the ongoing issue of doctors frequently leaving the service due to inadequate compensation,” he added.
The ARD leader explained that the approval was communicated by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, and was widely shared in the media, bringing joy to the doctors in the state. In appreciation, various doctor associations in Kogi State expressed their gratitude to the governor and prayed for the success of his administration.
He pointed out that the implementation, originally set for October, was postponed to November, with a promise that the accrued arrears for October would be paid alongside the November salary. However, he noted that confusion arose when the November salary was paid a few days ago without the October arrears for the new minimum wage or the implementation of CONMESS 2024.
Friday explained that, among all health workers employed by the Kogi State Government, only medical doctors remain on the old salary structure of CONMESS 2014, while others have transitioned to CONHESS 2024. He urged Governor Ododo to extend his goodwill to the doctors in the State Civil Service and called on the governor to instruct the relevant agencies to ensure the full implementation of the approved changes to maintain harmony and peace in the health sector.
