“We are in a serious problem” – Governor Ganduje of Kano cries out, accuses the Nigerian Govt of neglect

The Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has accused the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 of neglecting the state in its current battle against coronavirus spread.

NewsWireNGR had reported that the Kano State Government on Sunday acknowledged the recent deaths in the state.

According to Commissioner of Information in the state, Mallam Muhammad Garba, investigation into the cause of the deaths was still ongoing but preliminary report from the Ministry of Health indicated that the deaths were not connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Ganduje said this in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Monday monitored by PREMIUM TIMES.

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.”

 NewsWireNGR recalls that in a statement on Sunday, Muhammad Garba, the state’s commissioner for information, said the government is working towards keeping residents safe.

In the statement issued Sunday, Garba had stated that the government has been commended from within and outside the state over the proactive measures it took check the spread of COVID-19 but the interview granted by Governor Ganduje Monday, tells a different story.

Here is what Garba said, “This explains why Kano, apart from being the most populace state, did not record a case of the pandemic until lately. Though we agree that the situation on hand currently is serious, we are not resting on our oars in taking appropriate measures to ensure that the good people of Kano state, and indeed, residents in the state protect themselves from the novel COVID-19 pandemic,”

“Moreso, the state government has three modern isolation centres where those tested positive to COVID-19 are being cared for. We are also hopeful of getting additional two isolation soonest. The government has also hired a hotel where suspected cases are accommodated.” He continued.

“Also, Kano state government is collaborating with Bayero University Kano (BUK) to establish a testing centre within the institution, which will be ready in two weeks time after being certified by the NCDC. This will, indeed, enhance our determination to ensure that every suspected case undergo test”.