From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
As the COVID-19 pandemic continue to tighten its grip on Kano with the latest new cases of 92 and three deaths, residents are raising eyebrows over the non-completion of the 500 bed Sani Abacha Isolation Centre, being sponsored by the richest man in Africa and son of the soil, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The facility which seems to have been abandoned half-way was much celebrated by the state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who on Match 29, 2020, announced that Dangote had promised to donate an Isolation Centre, while inaugurating the state COVID-19 Fund Raising Committee at Africa House, Government House.
Even though no one anticipated that such rising number of COVID-19 patients would be recorded in Kano, the Dangote’s gift came with resounding applause, but today, questions are being asked why work in that Isolation Centre has been slow-paced, even with the realities that Kano’s situation deserves emergency.
Our investigations revealed that out of the 500 proposed beds, only 250 beds have been installed, while other items that are needed to make the place functional are yet to be provided.
One of the security guards watching over the facility told our Correspondent that, “for some time now, they have not done any work on the Isolation Centre. I cannot explain why.”
Our Correspondent discovered that basic facilities such as Air Condition, offices for medical personnel, exchange rooms for Nurses and Doctors, laboratories, and other essential equipment are yet to be provided.
Findings also revealed that even the installed 250 beds are yet to be supported with other needed equipment that can enable them accommodate patients, while there are no clear indications that the remaining 250 beds would be installed soon.
It was also observed that toilets are yet to be contacted in the facility.
This is so in spite of the fact hat Governor Ganduje has visited the Isolation Centre three times, encouraging the contractors to ensure its completion in good time.
With Kano having recorded 311 COVID-19 cases and eight deaths so far, residents of the state are crying out to Dangote to ensure the immediate completion of the Isolation Centre, and even do more to contribute in saving Kano from the long clutches of COVID-19 pandemic.
