The Rivers State Government says it has intercepted a truckload of suspected substandard animal hide, popularly called ponmo, in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of the state, that were imported into the country from Madagascar.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Fred Kpakol, who disclosed this to newsmen, said two persons who accompanied the products to the country have been arrested.
“We got a tip-off that some canda meat that was imported found its way into the state. We went in and found out that it had come in from the Onne Port. It’s was a container full of canda meat. We were able to intercept it and took it to the area command. When it was opened, it was discovered that it was adulterated and stinking.
“From the import paper, we found out that it came in from Madagascar.”
The two persons arrested claimed the consignment was owned by a man simply known as Alhaji and contained raw materials for making shoes and bags. Further investigation is ongoing.
