By Felix Khanoba
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, has tested negative for coronavirus (COVID-19) and resumed office after leading a ministerial task team to nine northern states.
Sani-Gwarzo, led the task team on curtailing the spread and impact of COVID-19 to Kano Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto, Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara states.
A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday by Ibrahim Haruna, Deputy Director of Press, FMITI, said Sani-Gwarzo made this known while addressing members of Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) on the Sustainable Production/Delivery of Essential Commodities During COVID-19 pandemic domiciled in the Ministry.
The Perm Sec commended the committee for a job well done while away on the national assignment.
“I led the Ministerial Task Team on COVID-19 in Kano, it was conceived by the Minister of Health who sought the concurrence of his brother, Minister of Industry, Trade and investment and the Head of Service of the Federation (HOCSF).
“Fortunately, the assignment went on very well, my team is still in Kano, we have not finished the assignment but, in the interim, while making progress in Kano, the Minister of Health identified the need to increase and extend similar assessment to eight eight additional states,” he said.
While saying the Minister of Health provided logistics that ensured seamless operation of the task team in the affected states, Sani-Gwarzo stated that the team has recorded modest impact.
The Perm Sec expressed delight that he tested twice to COVID-19 after the high risk assignment.
“My sample was taken and I tested negative, I went into quarantine again for a few days before another test was done, the second test came out negative. So I am happy that I am finally negative.
“I was able to reunite with my family and that is why I am here with you today,” he said.
He further revealed that lessons learnt so far would be leveraged upon to consolidate on successes recorded by the EOC.
“The EOC is a committee I missed so much, although I see a daily report but I have not been able to interact with you as I used to do on a daily basis.
“I must say that a lot of work has been done, a lot of achievements have been recorded and a lot of patience and real commitment, a very rare kind of commitment has been exhibited,” he added.
Earlier, the Manager of EOC, Engr. Battah Ndirpaya commended the Permanent Secretary for carrying out the new assignment successfully, saying it justified the confidence reposed in him by President Muhammadu Buhari and other Nigerians.
The AUTHORITY reports that Sani-Gwarzo belongs to four committees on coronavirus pandemic which include EOC, Committee on the Sustainable Production/Delivery of Essential Commodities During COVID-19 Pandemic, Ministerial Task Team on COVID-19 Pandemic to Kano State and the advisory committee on the recovery of the economy.
