Optometrists Lament Unpaid Allowances, Engage Abia Assembly
A delegation of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), led by Dr. Alozie George visited the Abia State House of Assembly on Wednesday.
The association informed the lawmakers about their upcoming national conference, scheduled to hold from July 23rd to 26th in Umuahia, Abia State.
Dr. Alozie George expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for receiving them and highlighted the importance of the conference in promoting eye health and vision care in Nigeria.
“We believe that the conference will not only benefit our members, but it will also contribute to the overall development of eye health care in the state and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
She requested the support of the house in sponsoring the opening ceremony of the conference.
“We’ll be very much honored if we feel you flesh and blood on that day with your full team on the opening ceremony day.
Honorable Erondu Junior, representing Obingwa west State Constituency, congratulated the association on their upcoming conference and assured them of the house’s support.
Other lawmakers, including Honorable Isieyi Boniface, Honorable Nnamdi Chidi, and Hon. Ceaser Rowland, commended the association for their efforts in promoting eye health and pledged their support for the conference.
The association also highlighted challenges facing the profession, including brain drain and poor welfare packages.
The state chairman of the association, Dr. Onyedikachi Ogbonna appealed to the lawmakers to review their salary structure to prevent optometrists from leaving the country.
“We are not being paid our core duty allowance, and it has really affected our take-home salary.
“If the house will look into our salary structure and do something about it, I don’t think anybody will want to leave this country,” she said.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Honorable Emmanuel Emeruwa, assured the association of the house’s support and promised to communicate with the relevant committees to ensure a successful conference.
“We share in your patriotism, and we share in your ideals.
“We will work closely with you to make sure that the conference is a success,” the speaker assured them.
Optometrists Lament Unpaid Allowances, Engage Abia Assembly is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
