Bayelsa State Government has initiated the process of withdrawing dangerous cowhides locally known as “kpomo” from the market within the state after identifying unhygienic processing methods that pose public health dangers.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Seiyefa Brisibe, after visiting the abattoir in the state together with the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ebi Ololo, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Sese Bekes, among others.
The officials found that imported cowhides were being processed under unsanitary conditions.
In his words, the commissioner revealed that during the inspection process, it was discovered that the cowhides were being cleaned using dirty water and also stored in decomposed conditions, thereby making them unfit for human consumption.
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He added that the practice poses great danger to the people and should be discontinued, says Doubara Fafi, the Media Assistant to the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, on Thursday.
Brisibe revealed that the enforcement exercise is a result of a directive from Governor Douye Diri that a multi-sectoral monitoring team is formed to withdraw any unsafe products from circulation, and clamp down on illegal and unhygienic food processing activities within the state.
He called on all processors and marketers of cowhides to discontinue unsafe practices and comply with food regulations and health screening processes.
The commissioner urged the citizens to stay alert and to report any suspicious or unhygienic practices in food processing to the necessary authorities, encouraging people to adopt the principle of “See Something, Say Something, Take Action”.
Brisibe reiterated the government’s stance on the health of its citizens and assured everyone that the Ministry of Health would work with all the necessary agencies to make sure that only healthy food products are sold in the Bayelsa markets.
