Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Tuesday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led central government to come to the rescue of the state government to stop the increasing number of COVID-19 related casualties.
The current total number of cases in the state is 59 of which 38 cases were recorded on Monday adding to the initial 21 cases.
Until Saturday, 11th April, 2020, Kano was among states that were yet to be hit by the dreaded coronavirus.
However, the state became exposed to the virus after a case flew in from Lagos and ultimately died Wednesday, 15th April, 2020.
And within 10-11 days, the state had recorded 59 cases, a development that pushed the Governor to cry out to the federal government for possible help as rendered to Lagos which currently has the highest number of cases.
The governor made the plea while receiving in audience Director General Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu in Kano.
The governor pleaded for earlier federal government’s interventions before community transmission in the rural areas begins as the cases were still within the metropolis
“So far, we do not have any serious case in the state. However, we need to get prepared. We need additional testing centre in the state, we need vehicles and protection kits, we need coordination, we need rapid responses and we need palliative.
“Kano is the third on the list of states with a high number of COVID-19 cases and is the most populated state in the federation. We, therefore, need financial support from the federal government.”
“Despite our population with less economic power than Lagos state which is economically viable, the federal government didn’t give any support while our positive cases continue to rise.”The governor said.
Responding, DG NCDC Ihekweazu reassured of the agency’s readiness to support collaborative efforts with state governments across the nation in putting down the global pandemic adding that he was in Kano for an on-the-pot assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state and measures being taken by the state government to address the issue.
Ihekweazu said the agency would map out strategies to support Kano state in its effort at containing the virus in the state, stressing that it is the aim of the NCDC to ensure the virus was curtailed nationwide.
In similar development, the Kano state Deputy Governor and Chairman of Taskforce Committee on COVID-19, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, has warned against spreading rumours on the pandemic adding that this act undermines the collective effort at preventing the spread of the disease.
Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr. Hassan Musa Fagge, quoted Gawuna as saying this in a statement Tuesday.
Dr Gawuna said the committee and other health workers were doing their possible best to bring an end of the pandemic, adding that there is utmost need for people to give their necessary support and cooperation to address the situation instead of spreading false information.
“As it is well known, some of us must come out and sacrifice in discharging our professional duties to fight against the spread of the disease. So under any circumstances, we will continue to do the needful, and for those who became infected in this process, ours is to pray for their quick recovery”. He said.
