The Federal Government has approved a take-off workforce of 1,200 employees for the newly established Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital in Ondo State, marking a significant step in the facility’s transition from state to federal ownership.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Olusegun Ojo, made the disclosure on Monday while addressing journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Prof. Ojo explained that the approval came after a thorough verification exercise involving officials from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
He said the approved workforce would allow the hospital to begin full operations as a federal tertiary healthcare institution.
Ojo explained that the approval followed a rigorous verification process involving tofficials from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant-General and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
He said the approved establishment would enable the hospital to commence full operations as a federal tertiary health institution.
He explained that each member of staff was screened based on qualifications, biodata and suitability for appointment into the federal public service before the final approval was granted.
“After extensive engagement, the Federal Government approved a take-off staff strength of 1,200. The document was endorsed by the Head of Service and transmitted to the Office of the Accountant-General for onward processing through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS),” Prof. Ojo declared.
The CMD said over 800 workers were initially captured during the IPPIS biometric exercise conducted between June 8 and June 13, while a mop-up exercise was held in Abuja on July 9 for those who missed the first phase due to communication and network challenges.
He expressed confidence that the newly approved employees would begin receiving their salaries by the end of August after the payroll process is completed.
According to him, the Ondo State Government has continued to pay the workers’ salaries under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) until the Federal Government fully takes over the responsibility.
Prof. Ojo described the payroll transition as a major milestone, noting that the transfer of the hospital’s workforce was essential to the successful establishment of the institution.
The CMD also addressed recent protests by some workers and labour unions over the staff absorption process, insisting that only personnel who met the requirements of the MoU could be employed into the federal establishment.
He attributed the protest to misinformation, stressing that the agreement never guaranteed automatic absorption of all existing workers.
“The Memorandum of Understanding clearly states that only those found suitable would be appointed. That is exactly what we have implemented with diligence and fairness,” the CMD said.
The CMD also appealed to staff, patients and members of the public to remain patient as the hospital progresses with its transition. He urged anyone with grievances to seek redress through lawful channels instead of disrupting the hospital’s operations.
Prof. Ojo also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the federal teaching hospital and thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for his continued support.