Lagos Government Shuts Ponmo Processing Section of Oko-Oba Abattoir

Cow skin (a.k.a ponmo) processing section of the Oko-Oba abattoir and Lairage Complex in Agege has been closed down by the Lagos state government, over health safety concerns.

Meat, cow skin

 The Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos state, Toyin Suarau, stated that the closure of the ponmo section and dislodgment of the processors became necessary because of imminent health hazards posed by the unhealthy manner these cow skin is processed.

“The ponmo processors use heaps of burning tyres, thereby, emitting thick toxic smoke into the air endangering residents of the adjoining neighbourhood. This bonfire emits a thick toxic smoke which spreads from within the complex to adjoining neighbourhoods, endangering the lives including those of the processors themselves. I wish to make it clear that the use of tyres for cow skin processing was reported to the State government sometime ago and was dealt with. The return to this unhygienic method of processing in the complex leaves much to be desired and this is why the state government has closed the ponmo section of the complex” he said.