Lagos State Government warns that contaminated ponmo is now on sale across local markets

LAGOS State Government officials have warned members of the public that contaminated cowhide popularly known as ponmo is being sold in markets urging them to be careful about purchasing the dangerous meat.

Globally, cowhide is a major raw material in the leather industry, used in the manufacture of bags, shoes, belts, leather sofas and upholstery. In Nigeria, however, it is also a local delicacy and is very popular among food vendors, who serve it with an array of staples foods like eba, amala, pounded yam, rice, lafun and fufu.

Historically, Nigeria used to be a major producer and exporter of hides and skins but with the growth of the crude oil industry, this sector of the economy has collapsed. Now, the local cowhide industry is wholly dependent on the food sector for survival, prompting fears that this latest contamination may lead to a major health scare.

Adeola Salako, the Lagos State director of public affairs, said the government has arrested three persons connected with the sale of the toxic ponmo in Ojo and Iba council areas, while the suspicious meat was also confiscated in large quantities. It is not yet clear what brought about the contamination, as it could have been due to chemicals used or the animals contracting some ailment.

Dr Jide Idris, the Lagos State health commissioner, said that the three persons involved have been charged to court, while samples of the confiscated ponmo had been sent to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac) laboratory for suitability test analysis for human consumption. He added that the state government was drawn to the activities of traders who deal in the sale of the poisonous cow skin at odd hours in different locations in Ojo and Iba local government areas.

“Preliminary investigations and suspect-tracing revealed that the traders were very active in the early hours between 4am and 6am at various locations such as Volkswagen Bus Stop, Iyana Iba and Afolabi Ege markets, all within Ojo local government and Iba local council areas of the state. Furthermore, a company said to be located at Ije-Ododo area of Iba Local Council Development Area was indicted as the source of supply of this toxic ponmo and has subsequently been put under surveillance," Dr Idris added.

He called on the public to be vigilant and report any suspected activities and sale of unwholesome foods and food products to environmental health officers in their nearest local government or to the Lagos State Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture. He also advised the public against the purchase and consumption of foods whose sources are doubtful or are perceived to be hazardous to human health.