FG Has Abandoned Kano During COVID-19, Says Ganduje

Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, has accused the Federal Government of abandoning the state during the current novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Governor Ganduje made the claim while speaking during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Monday.

Kano State, which is Nigeria’s most populous state, currently has 77 confirmed Coronavirus cases, the third-highest in the country as of Sunday, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Governor Kwankwaso is reported to have demanded N15 billion from the Federal Government over the increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Speaking during the interview, the governor declared the situation in the state as “scary”, adding that the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has failed to complement the state efforts, especially on the issue of testing.

He said: “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 Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

“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.”

According to Governor Ganduje, “the problem (is) with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Even its (NCDC) 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.

“There is serious problem. We have been complaining that Kano needs more than one testing centre, right from the beginning of this (pandemic).”

One death has been reported in Kano, according to the NCDC. However, the state government on Monday announced the death of two patients in the state.

The state has, however, witnessed a surge in the number of deaths, with the state’s Deputy Task Force Coordinator on COVID-19 confirming in an interview on Channels Television last week that over 600 persons died in the state in a week alone.

The state also lost 12 prominent persons on Saturday.