In order to revitalize tanneries, the federal government claims it is putting up legislation that would outlaw the consumption of animal skin, known locally as ponmo.
On Sunday in Abuja, Muhammad Yakubu, director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), made this statement.
Yakubu claimed that the legal action was required to resurrect the nation’s dead leather sector.
To save the industry and strengthen the economy of the country, he suggested ending the practice of eating animal skin, which has little nutritional value.
The director-general further stated that the institute would approach the national parliament and state governments to introduce legislation outlawing the consumption of “ponmo” in cooperation with industry partners.
Since Ponmo has no nutritional value, he claimed that Nigerians are the only people in the world who overvalue skin as food.
“At one time, a motion was presented to the two houses of the national assembly. It was discussed, but I’m not sure how the subject was dismissed.”
He claims that the current status of the tanneries in Nigeria is mostly due to the consumption of animal skin.
He added that several basic issues facing the industry had been addressed under the present National Leather Policy.
People in Nigeria won’t have any trouble finding pomo to buy and consume if we get our tanneries, footwear, and leather industry running smoothly, according to Yakubu.
“When completely implemented, it would revive the majority of the paralyzed tanneries and increase productivity.”
In order to revitalize the industry, Yakubu pleaded with stakeholders to support the legislation and the national leather policy.
According to the Agricultural Research Institute Act of 1975, NILEST was established to encourage the manufacture of leather. The institute carries out research on leather manufacturing, leather goods, and the use of domestic tanning resources in the nation.
