From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin-Kebbi
Kebbi Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu disclosed, yesterday, that outbreak of cholera in some parts of the state was caused by 16,000 dead animals dumped into River Niger, from Niger Republic.
He also disclosed that during his visit to President of Niger Republic, Yusuf Mohammed, he was told that 16,000 animals died in the country and the carcas, thrown into the river, flooded to communities in Kebbi along the river bank.
Kebbi communities, he said, drank from the polluted river.
The governor also attributed poor sanitation and poor health services in rural areas to lack of doctors and nurses, in over 980 health centres across the 225 wards in the state.
Governor Bagudu disclosed this to newsmen in Government House, Birnin-Kebbi, yesterday, as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary.
Bagudu also noted that the state has enough health facilities but lack health personnel who would run the medical facilities on ground.
Responding to recent outbreaks of cholera and meningitis in the state’s rural areas, the governor said “the biggest challenges are personnel and communities’ involvement. One thing is to provide buildings, but you need people to run them.
“I can’t find doctors; even when I have ordered that whenever they see doctors they should employ them without getting approval from me. Tomorrow, if I want 100 doctors, I can’t find them.”
Governor Bagudu also pleaded with international organisations to provide health services to the people, to cover up the lapses.
Bagudu, who blamed communities for not being involved in environmental sanitation, stressed that outbreak of cholera, diarrhoea and meningitis were caused by unhygienic environment.
While congratulate Nigerians for 57th years,Governor Bagudu insisted about 170 millions citizens should not “ angry elements”,in part of the country to decide their fate.