Our ‘ponmo’ is safe for consumption ― Ijebu-Igbo traders

Traders of cow skin otherwise known as ‘Ponmo’ in Ijebu-Igbo area of Ogun State have called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) and security agencies to investigate and arrest importers of poisonous cow skin into the country.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of Hide and Skin Association, Ijebu-Igbo branch, Alhaji Surajudeen Abdulazeez, the association said the ‘ponmo’ business which had spanned for 80 years has been number one business in the town.

The call was as a result of an outcry by the Lagos State Government, sometimes last week, that poisonous cow skin not healthy for human consumption had flooded the market, warning members of the public to be wary of it.

Abdulazeez urged members of the public to consume ‘ponmo’ from Ijebu-Igbo which is not an industrial one.

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“We beg law enforcement agencies and of course, NAFDAC to come to our aid and carry out necessary investigation into this issue, so that they can fish out the culprits.

“It is only then that our customers can have peace of mind, knowing our Ponmo is safe for consumption.

“As far as this town is concerned, ‘ponmo’ business is the number one business in Ijebu-Igbo today.

“Most graduates have invested in it and they’re doing well and catering for their families.

“Our customers and clients have transacted business with us for long and we’ve built the trust in them and them in us,” he said.