Lagos set up committee on poisonous ponmo

Lagos State Government, yesterday set up a monitoring and investigative committee on the influx of poisonous cow skin, popularly known as ponmo in the state, with a mandate to also dislodge operators of factories and illegal abattoirs where the poisonous ponmo were processed in the state.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, disclosed this following the arrest of six persons with 30 tonnes of the poisonous ponmo worth N10 million in Igando, Alimosho Local Government.

While reeling out the role of the committee, Suarau said: “This committee would work with relevant government agencies to fish out any other illegal ponmo processing factory and illegal abattoir which activities pose great danger to the public.

“We will not relent on our oars to ensure that only hygienic meat and meat products are available in our abattoirs and markets for human consumption. I therefore use this medium to warn operators of illegal abattoirs and ponmo processing outlets to desist from their criminal activities or risk facing the full weight of the law.”

The Commissioner urged relevant Federal Government agencies in charge of the borders to intensify patrol, saying this will prevent entry of the poisonous foods and products into the country.

Suarau, however, urged residents to be vigilant and report any suspected activities and sale of unwholesome foods and food products to the nearest local government office or the Ministry of Agriculture.

“We will always monitor the whole process of food handling and distribution until it gets to the final consumers,” he noted.