The trade in cow skin (ponmo) continues to flourish despite the Federal Government’s warning against buying it because of the Anthrax illness outbreak in some neighboring nations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) conducted a survey of select marketplaces at Mushin, Egbeda, Oshodi, and Ikotun, all in Lagos State, and found that ponmo remains in high demand.
This is in spite of the government’s proclamation.
The general public was made aware of the anthrax illness epidemic in a few nearby countries in the West African sub-region by the Federal Government on June 13.
It suggested Nigerians refrain from eating hides at the present.
The sickness, which has taken some lives, is a bacterial zoonotic disease that affects both animals and humans, according to the statement.
Anthrax spores are allegedly normally present in soil and frequently infect both domestic and wild animals.
It was said explicitly that the sickness was common in Northern Ghana, which borders Burkina Faso and Togo.
Mrs. Adewunmi Onalaja, a housewife, admitted to NAN that she did not know how to quit purchasing ponmo because her family loved it.
“I’d be lying if I say I haven’t heard the announcement, but it’s hard to comply. When the news broke out, I was afraid initially but after a week I spoke with my customer and she told me she hasn’t gone to the market of late, so I bought from her.
“The only precaution I will take is that when the one I stocked up from my customer finishes, I will stop buying till it’s safe,” Onalaja said.
According to Chidera Ezeokocha, owner of a restaurant in Egbeda, making regional specialties like Afang, Edikaikong, and Egusi stew without cowhides is nearly impossible.
“I still put ponmo in my soups, those soups are incomplete without them, but I make sure I season it well. I thought the announcement was to alert us about poisonous ponmo.
“If I see a ponmo that is not good I will know, I have been in this food business long enough for me to know that a particular ponmo is bad,” Chidera said.
Selling peppered cow skin, Sakirat Rafiu questioned whether Nigerians would heed the government’s warning.
“The truth is that I don’t believe Nigerians will stop trading in ponmo, except they start getting arrested, which I am not sure is possible.
“Ponmo is cheap and demand for it is high and with how expensive things are, people don’t have a choice,” she said.
A businesswoman named Kikiopefoluwa Idris claimed that because she had never been a fan of ponmo, she couldn’t be bothered by the warning regarding its intake.
“I have always preferred the dried ponmo; the ones you have to dip inside water to soften it. I buy that in bulk because it has a longer lifespan than the fresh ones displayed in the open market,” Idris said.
Mrs. Esther Adebamowo, the Market Leader (Iyaloja), of the Olugbede Market in Egbeda, urged customers to abide by the government’s order.
“Government knows it all, and they’re particular about our wellbeing. I’d advise that we listen to them, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“On our part, there’s nothing we can do to stop the buying and selling of ponmo, except government comes out to say anyone caught selling or buying will be punished.
“I as Iyaloja can’t sanction the sellers,” Adebamowo said.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s standing anthrax control committee has been revived by the government.
Contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products can expose people to anthrax spores.
The good news is that anthrax is not spread through direct contact with an infected person because it is not a contagious illness.
If anthrax is not identified and treated quickly, it can cause pneumonia, serious lung issues, breathing difficulties, shock, and death. The symptoms of anthrax include flu-like ones including coughing, fever, and muscular aches.
NAN
