Kolade Adeyemi, Kano
Residents of Kano state have appealed to Alhaji Akiko Dangote to complete the 500-bed isolation centre he is constructing at Sani Abacha stadium.
The appeals of a cross section of concerned residents, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, came on the heel of increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kano.
Dangote, an indigene of Kano, donated the isolation centre in March but investigations show work has slowed down.
“In fact, from all indications, the project seems to have been abandoned for unexplained reasons, even though Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has visited the site three times and urged them to get it ready,” said a resident.
The Nation reports Governor Abdullahi Ganduje announced the donation on March 29 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.
Questions are however are being asked on why work at the centre has been slow.
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The Nation’s investigations revealed that out of the 500 proposed beds, only 250 beds have been installed.
Other items needed to make the place functional are yet to be provided.
One of the security guards at the facility told The Nation: “For some time now, they have not done any work on the Isolation Centre. I cannot explain why.”
Our correspondent discovered 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 lack equipment that can make patients use them.
There are no indications the remaining 250 beds would be installed soon.
Moreso, toilets are yet to be contructed within the isolation centre.
Kano has recorded 92 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number to 311 as at the time of filling in this report.
Three patients also died recently, bringing the number of deaths to eight.
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