The Lagos State Government has confiscated a trailer-load of ponmo suspected to have chemicals that can spread the Ebola virus.
The government said the cowhide was seized in the Ijegun area of the state on Monday.
According to the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya, wthe police in Ikotun arrested a vehicle fully loaded with the fibre meat and subsequently informed officials of the State Government.
Onasanya explained that the cowhide preserved with certain chemicals for the purpose of being used as leather material are being sold for human consumption by some criminals prior to their arrest by the Police and subsequent confiscation by the State Government.
He added that the confiscated “toxic ponmo”, suspected to contain substances that could spread the Ebola virus, had since been transported to the Ministry’s outstation at Johnson Agiri Office Complex, Agege for onward disposal at the medical waste dumpsite in Ewu Elepe, Ikorodu area of the State.
According to him, other relevant agencies such as the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Environmental Health Officers have been duly informed of the discovery and the disposal exercise. He reiterated the commitment of the State Government to step up its monitoring activities with a view to further fishing out the existence of any “toxic ponmo” in the Lagos markets.
Onasanya, however, called on members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspected activities and sales of unwholesome foods to the nearest local government in the State or the State Ministry of Agriculture. The Permanent Secretary also advised members of the public against the purchase and consumption of food whose sources are doubtful or perceived to be harmful to human health and wellbeing.
