The Rivers State chapter of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) says it will not participate in the nationwide industrial action declared by its national leadership over the delayed enforcement of the revised Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) by the Federal Government, slated to begin on Friday, November 14, 2025.

The Chairman of the Rivers State Council, Otaraku Jonathan-Oye, stated in an interview that the choice to withdraw from the strike was made in acknowledgment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approval of the payment of the updated Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors, as well as the revised Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for other healthcare workers, including the settlement of outstanding arrears.

Jonathan-Oye added that the Governor also sanctioned the prompt commencement of residency grants and skipping allowances for medical doctors, along with accoutrement allowances for other health professionals.

He, however, appealed to Governor Fubara to address other pending welfare issues, including “the newly approved retirement age of 65 years for health workers, payment of CONHESS review arrears, settlement of hazard allowance arrears, and harmonization of salaries for local government health workers with their counterparts at the state level.”