COVID-19: Kano, Nigeria’s most populous State overwhelmed, Says Gov. Ganduje
COVID-19: Kano is in serious trouble, Gov. Ganduje calls for help
Governor of the most populous state in Nigeria, Kano State, Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has said that the 9.4 million people are in grave danger of COVID-19 after centers for testing for the virus were shut down.
The Governor accused Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 of neglecting the state in its current battle against coronavirus spread. Before this dawn, Governors of the Northern Nigeria sat and took a decision that they won’t afford to lock down the region for fear of coronavirus even though their Southern counterparts had taken measures to enforce lockdown.
Mysterious deaths which sources put at over 600 within a few days have been reported in the Nigeria’s North-Western State. However, authorities said they were investigating the sources of the deaths.
Ganduje told BBC Hausa Service on Monday that the state was in a serious trouble.
He said, “We are in a serious problem. I can tell you the situation is really bad and scary. Because what we solely rely upon in fighting the disease is the testing centre.
“This laboratory suspended its operation five or six days ago. There is also a shortage of sample collection equipment. It is not a common equipment that you can go and buy in the market. Those whose samples were collected are still waiting to know their fate.”
The governor also noted that “the problem (is) with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Even its Director General was in Kano. He spent a night there, but we have not heard from him again. The minister (of health) too knows the laboratory is not working.
He added, “there is serious problem. We have been complaining that Kano needs more than one testing centre, right from the beginning of this (pandemic).”
Excerpt
BBC: “If we understand you, there is problem. Are you saying you are not getting any support from federal government agencies on the fight against COVID-19?”
Ganduje: “Sincerely speaking, we are not getting deserved attention. If these equipment (testing centre) are under our control, we will do our best to make sure it works properly. But we are not getting the needed support and cooperation from from Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.”