Why We Embarked On Indefinite Strike — DELSUTH Workers

Clinical services at the Delta State Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara in Ethiope West Local Area of the state, have been paralysed following an indefinite strike declared by two major unions over the state government’s alleged failure to pay peculiar and special allowances.

The strike which began on Friday, September 11, 2026, was declared by the Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutions and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) and the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) of the university.

Patients have been left stranded at the hospital as the unions vowed that their members wouldn’t render any services until their demands are met.

At the heart of the industrial action is the non-implementation of a report on the cost implications of three allowances: the peculiar allowance, a revised allowance for health workers, and a special allowance for workers yet to benefit from the governor’s recent approval for health workers.

According to the unions, the committee, set up by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, reviewed and validated their demands, and the commissioner accepted its report. The workers say the government has simply refused to pay despite that acceptance.

Addressing journalists in Oghara, the Chairman of SSAUTHRIAI, DELSUTH chapter, Jude Arhoja, said the strike became unavoidable after months of fruitless negotiations.

Arhoja said the document bearing the signatures of both the state government and labour leaders was available, insisting the workers were only demanding what was duly agreed.

State Council Chairman of NUAHP, Orowaino Samuel, said members of the union, including pharmacists, physiotherapists, laboratory scientists, radiographers and optometrists, have exhausted all avenues for an amicable resolution.

Samuel alleged a disparity in the implementation of allowances, noting that the same peculiar allowance is paid to medical doctors, including a professional allowance of N200,000 each, while allied health professionals were told they were not qualified.

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“Why is it that our own is different? Must we come out to strike to demand our money? In other administrations, when the circular comes, it is implemented for everybody.

“That is why, if you check the history of strikes in Delta State, you will not see SSAUTHRIAI and NUAHP. Now there is a dichotomy.

“The circular is implemented for some people, and others are told they are not qualified. But we are qualified for it. We cannot work for nothing,” he said.

Both union leaders called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene and direct the health commissioner to pay the workers.