The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has resolved to take a mediatory role to resolve the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD)’s strike.

The governors disclosed this in a communiqué issued by its chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, after their 33rd teleconference on Wednesday.

The communique explained that the resolution followed an update by Ahmad Abdulwahab, the NGF health advisor, regarding the ongoing strike.

It noted that the governors would take a mediatory role to facilitate dialogue between NARD and the affected states.

According to the communique, the forum resolved to work with the steering committee, set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, to oversee the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Bill recently signed into law.

It noted that the governors would work with the presidential committee, headed by the junior petrol minister Timipre Sylva, on the areas of concern to the forum.

The statement also revealed that a committee “for this purpose,” chaired by Nasarawa governor, was constituted with Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Gombe and Kaduna governors as members.

The governors disclosed that they were awaiting court ruling before speaking on the contentious VAT collection that has pitted Rivers against the federal government.

“On the recent Federal High Court Judgment on Value Added Tax (VAT), the forum resolved not to make any pronouncements until all litigations regarding the matter are concluded,” they stated.

The NGF statement added that after a presentation by the managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo, on opportunities to strengthen collaboration between the agency and states, “the governors resolved that each state should nominate a focal person who will work with the REA to coordinate rural electrification projects in all states.

(NAN)