Ben Murray-Bruce, a senator representing Bayelsa East constituency, in Bayelsa State, was verbally attacked by some Nigerians over his tweet about Canadian doctors rejecting a pay raise, that he compared them to their Nigerian counterparts.
Murray-Bruce had taken to his official Twitter handle on Thursday, March 8, 2018, to call on the Nigerian government to pay attention to Nigerian doctors who protest for not being paid enough.
A few days ago, more than 500 doctors and residents in Canada, as well as over 150 medical students, signed a public letter protesting their own pay raises, CNBC reported.
“We, Quebec doctors who believe in a strong public system, oppose the recent salary increases negotiated by our medical federations,” the letter said.
The group also said they are offended that they would receive raises when nurses and patients ”are struggling”.
In his tweet, Murray-Bruce said, “At a time Canadian doctors are protesting that they are being paid too much (your eyes don’t deceive you), doctors in Nigeria are on strike for not being paid enough.
“We can’t pay our doctors well, but we can budget ₦1.1 billion to clean a government office. Which way Nigeria?”
Nigerians, obviously still upset after the recent revelation that senators are receiving N13.5 million monthly as “running cost”, urged Mr. Murray-Bruce to emulate the Canadian doctors.
At a time Canadian doctors are protesting that they are being paid too much (your eyes don't deceive you), doctors in Nigeria are on strike for not being paid enough. We can't pay our doctors well, but we can budget ₦1.1 billion to clean a government office. Which way Nigeria?
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) March 8, 2018
The revelation of the pay package, which was made by Shehu Sani, has stirred up mixed reaction among the Nigerians in the country.
In an interview with TheNews, Mr. Sani said that the ”running cost does not include a N700,000 monthly consolidated salary and allowances which they also receive”
He explained that though there is no specification on what the funds was meant for, each lawmaker is mandated to provide receipts to back up their expenses.
Below are some reactions of Nigerians to Mr. Murray-Bruce’s tweet:
https://twitter.com/Izzo_Hova/status/971817327128993792
The only common sense i will oblige to is when you protest in support of reduction of N13million per month running cost for each senator in NA.
— At-taufiqee ®♡ (@Dants_xie) March 9, 2018
Why can't Nigerian senators emulate the Canadian Doctors?…. then we will know you are fighting people's cause… You can lead by example too..not just to attack presidency all the time … National Assembly is part of the system and problem sir.
— adeniye ayokunle (@ayoadeniye) March 8, 2018
Why can't Nigerian senators emulate the Canadian Doctors?…. then we will know you are fighting people's cause… You can lead by example too..not just to attack presidency all the time … National Assembly is part of the system and problem sir.
— adeniye ayokunle (@ayoadeniye) March 8, 2018
Sounds nice, let it start from the Senate. You people should cut down your Maxi bumper wages. Charity begins at home, don’t throw stone when you live in glass house. 13.5m monthly and 220million constituency allowance. Ole ni yin
— General Sekere (@sekere_111) March 8, 2018
Let's stop your running cost of 13 million to help the doctors
— Sultan Abdulazeez Abdulmalik #iambatified (@sultanabdumalik) March 8, 2018
The self-righteousness of a politician never ceases.He has jumped on the doctors…and left the ones who have pegged back everyone's salaries, except https://t.co/84y7HPyhJH can't keep tweeting about govt's shortcomings when you're part of it.#ComeOutFromAmongThem
— Quiet Spirit (@Jubalkayne) March 9, 2018
….and you receive #13.5million every month aside salary…. Who is deceiving who? Which way, Nigeria?🙄
— 20-10-2020🕊️ (@the_samadekunle) March 9, 2018
Only if you had paid your N11Bn debt. Only if you changed the story when you had the opportunity to lead NTA. And only if you are not collecting undisclosed salaries and allowances as a Senator. Ride on for RTs. I know your target audience
— Mr Ayenigba (@ibroayo) March 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/Iam__temmy/status/971989202341539842
Sir, No one has never protest when you collecting N13m monthly as running cost and N200m annually for constituency allowance.
This is indeed common sense..— Abu Bilaal (@ojogiwaso) March 9, 2018
Read more at PremiumTimes
