By Chioma Umeha
The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has
restrained health workers under the Nigerian Union of Allied Health
Professionals (NAUHP) from continuing or embarking on any strike action.
According to a statement from the Federal Ministry
of Health on Friday: “ Hon. Justice B.B. Kanyip of National Industrial Court
Abuja on Friday restrained the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals
from continuing or embarking on strike action pending the determination of the
substantive suit filed by the Federal Ministry of Health against the union.”
In his ruling, the trial judge said “the
respondent (Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals) and its agents,
privies of any person(s) claiming through it is hereby restrained from
continuing in the strike action pending the determination of the substantive
suit already filed on this action”
He determined that the respondent is an essential
service provider, and thus restrained from proceeding with the strike action.
The Federal Ministry of Health had on March 10,
2017 filed a motion praying the respondents to be restrained from continuing on
their strike action.
Delivering his ruling, the presiding judge noted
that the union was put on notice and served the appropriate processes for the
Friday’s hearing, but had chosen not to make any appearance.
