The Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has accused the Nigerian government of neglecting the state, as it battles the COVID-19 outbreak.
Ganduje stated this in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Monday.
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).”
When asked if he was getting supports from federal government agencies on the fight against Coronavirus, the Governor replied: “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.”
Nigeria’s Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire, has already assured that the COVID-19 testing centre in Kano will resume operations on Monday.
Kano State is also battling with mysterious deaths, which the state government claimed might be complications arising from acute malaria, hypertension, diabetes and meningitis.