Authorities of Akwa Ibom State had on Sunday, April 26, 2015 sounded a serious warning to the residents, urging them to desist from consuming the poisonous cow skin meat which is being imported into the state by some unknown persons.
People who consume the cow skin, locally known as Kpomo risked cancer, liver problems as well as diarrhoea and hypertension due to the large amount of salt used for its preservation.
The development was disclosed by the director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Mineral Resources, Dr. Obot Obot, during a press briefing in Uyo, the state capital.
He discloses that the sale of the toxic cow skin meat in some markets in the state was discovered four months ago.
According to Vanguard, Obot disclosed that the state government, in collaboration with the Department of State Services, DSS, had already taken proactive steps to apprehend those behind the importation of the poisonous skin meat and to stop its sale in all markets in the state.
He said, “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.”
