Virus outbreak: Lagosians defy govt’s warning on ponmo consumption

Despite the warning by the Federal Government on the purchase of cow skin, fondly called ponmo, due to the outbreak of Anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries, the trade in the commodity still thrives.

A survey of some markets at Mushin, Egbeda, Oshodi, and Ikotun in Lagos State revealed that the demand for ponmo hasn’t dropped.

This is in spite of the announcement made by the government.

The Federal Government had, on June 13, alerted Nigerians over the outbreak of anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region.

It advised Nigerians to desist from the consumption of ponmo at the moment, adding that the disease was widespread in Northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

However, a housewife, Adewunmi Onalaja, said she did not know how to stop buying ponmo because her family enjoyed 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 told NAN.

Chidera Ezeokocha, who runs a restaurant at Egbeda, said cooking local delicacies such as Afang, Edikaikong, and Egusi stew are almost impossible without ponmo.

She said: “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.”

Sakirat Rafiu, who hawks peppered cow skin, said she doubted if Nigerians could obey government’s warning.

Rafiu said: “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.”

On her part, the Market Leader of Olugbede Market in Egbeda, Esther Adebamowo, urged buyers and sellers to comply with the government’s directive.

Olugbede said: “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.”

The government had resuscitated a standing committee on the control of Anthrax in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

People can get infected with Anthrax spores by coming in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

The signs of the disease are flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, muscle aches, and if not diagnosed and treated early, leads to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock, and death.

The Star