Doctors in Ogun have threatened to shut down the medical sector from September 20 to protest poor pay and shortchange of doctors in the state civil service.

Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Ogun, Dr Ogunlaja Oladayo, said the state has failed to begin negotiation with the Association of Resident Doctors

The association at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital had suspended its strike to allow for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government over the agitations for regularisation of pay and other improved welfare demands.

The ARD had said the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo brokered the peace between it and the government.

It said a Memorandum of Understanding would be produced within the two weeks period which was at the instance of the speaker.

But the NMA Chairman while speaking on the development on Monday, expressed concern that the government had failed to start a discussion with the doctors one week after it had suspended the strike.

Oladayo hinted that the ARD will fully resume the industrial action on September 20 should the state government fails to commit itself on the payment of the appropriate remuneration.

Oladayo explained that less than N35 million is required monthly to effect payment of the appropriate remuneration on about 600 doctors employed by the state.

He denied allegations that the strike was politically motivated, saying the agitation the ongoing administration, but the government had been adamant.

Reacting to the threat, the Special Adviser to the governor on Public Communication, Remmy Hazzan promised that the government would engage the doctors this week with a view to addressing the agitations.