By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
The National Steering Committee on the implementation of the National Leather and Leather Products Policy has called for a halt to the consumption of animal hides and skins, popularly known as ponmo.
The call was made by the committee chairman, Prof. M.K Yakubu, Director-General/CEO Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) Zaria.
According to him, the call for a halt in the consumption of hides and skins (ponmo) became necessary if the moribund tanneries in the country must be revived for economic growth, wealth generation and employment creation.
Prof. Yakubu added that about 7,000 cattle are slaughtered on a daily basis in the Nigerian abattoirs, and the raw hides and skins that ought to serve as raw materials for tanneries are ending up in people pots as delicacy.
“it is only in Nigeria that such a practice is found,” he lamented.
He is, therefore, of the opinion that discouraging the consumption of raw hides and skins will make raw materials available for production of needs such as footwears, bags, wallet, belts upholsteries and many other leather materials”.
He however, opined that the consumption of hides and skin as ponmo can be achieved if incentives are provided to producers, processors, and marketers as well as incorporation of other groups to be affected into other forms of livelihood.
The DG also used the occasion to advocate the creation of the Leather Industry Pension Fund.
In his contribution, Mr. Emmanuel Kwaya, Director of Raw Materials Research and Development, added that the leather sector is contributing to quality export, national GDP, and creating employment to teeming unemployed Nigerian youth.
He, therefore, encouraged patronage of made in Nigerian leather products so that it can contribute positively to the nation’s economy.
