By Patrick Obia
The Government of Cross River State has frowned at the indefinite strike action embarked on by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State chapter, saying “what the government needs at the moment is support and not blackmail.”
The State Government further termed the NMA’s action as regrettable, unfortunate, and ill-advised, in a press release issued by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Governor Ben Ayade, Christian Ita.
Mr. Ayade noted that the unconscionable gesture by the NMA is undeserving even as the State moved swiftly to bring perpetrators to book and avert further occurrences. Inferring the “government is reluctant to impute political undertones to the actions of the NMA.”
Recall that NMA, Cross River State chapter had on Monday 21 November 2022 declared an indefinite strike of her kidnapped colleagues.
The release reads: “The Cross River State Government views the strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state as unfortunate, regrettable, and ill-advised.
“The response of the government since the unfortunate abduction of some persons, including two medical doctors, has been strong, robust, and total.
“The government is, therefore, undeserving of the unconscionable reaction of the Association.
“While the Cross River State government is reluctant to impute political undertone to the actions of the NMA, suffice to state that it had immediately after the incident launched a manhunt, using all the security agencies, in an effort to intercept the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
“Only a day earlier, a similar kidnapping incident along the Okomita and Uyanga axis of the Calabar-Ikom Highway was diffused, and the victims were rescued in record time.
“Since the latest incident, anyone who has traveled along the said road will attest to the fact that the entire Uyanga forest is brimming with security operatives, with commendable successes, including the arrest of key dramatis personae who are assisting the ongoing operations.
“No society is completely devoid of crime but what matters is the response of the government. In this case, the response of the government has been swift and total.
“Government is determined to rescue the victims and stamp out this evil once and for all. So, what the government needs at the moment is support and not blackmail. Security is the responsibility of everyone, including the NMA.”