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