Akwa Ibom govt warns residents to desist from eating 'Ponmo'

Akwa Ibom state government has warned residents of the state to desist from eating cow skin popularly known as Ponmo as research has shown that the consumption of the cow skin has led to the increase in cancer and liver problems in the state.

At a press conference in Uyo yesterday April 26th, the state Commissioner for Agriculture & Natural Resources, Mr. Godwin Afangideh, represented by Director of Veterinary Services in the state, Dr. Obot Obot said the high quantity of salt used for the preservation of the cow skin has been traced to have adverse effect on the liver of the consumers and also increases the risk of having cancer

"The state government, through the veterinary services directorate of the ministry, has embarked on a sensitisation campaign in some markets in the local government areas to talk to the people about the danger of consuming such meat. The veterinary officer, who was in charge of the sensitisation campaign, went to different markets and talked to the people on the imperatives of how to watch out for toxic meat following reports of its importation into the country. Cow skin meat, which is five times thicker than ordinary skin meat, is injected with a toxic substance called formalin used for its preservation. This formalin in the long run is capable of causing cancer and liver problems due to high concentration of salt used for their preservation.”he said