Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ekiti State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has shut down a cow skin (ponmo) processing facility and an eatery in Ado-Ekiti following persistent complaints from residents about an offensive odour that posed serious health risks to the surrounding community. The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Erelu Tosin Aluko Ajisafe, announced the enforcement action on Thursday, explaining that the ministry had received multiple reports of a "lingering odour nuisance" across parts of the metropolis, particularly in the Omisanjanna area. Officials traced the source to a facility located around 132/133 KV, Oke Osun, where cow hides were being processed under what the commissioner described as "highly unhygienic and dangerous conditions." The facility, owned by Mr. Adebayo Omolewa, was immediately sealed, and the ministry warned that it would remain closed until the owner complies with all required environmental and health standards.
The sealing of the cow skin processing plant highlights a growing concern over the safety of ponmo, a popular and affordable protein source consumed by millions of Nigerians. Ponmo, which is derived from cow hide, is typically boiled, singed, scraped, and dried before being sold in markets. However, the processing methods used in unregulated facilities often involve the burning of rubber, tyres, and plastic waste to remove hair from the hides, releasing toxic fumes into the air. The process also generates significant wastewater that can contaminate local water sources. Residents of the Oke Osun area had complained for months about the persistent smell of burning waste and rotting animal products, which they said caused respiratory difficulties, headaches, and nausea, especially among children and the elderly. The commissioner noted that the facility had been warned on multiple occasions but failed to implement any corrective measures.
In a related enforcement action, the Environmental Sanitation Task Force also sealed an eatery within the Ado-Ekiti metropolis for operating under unsanitary conditions. Officials did not disclose the name of the restaurant but stated that inspectors found evidence of improper waste disposal, lack of proper ventilation, and the presence of disease vectors such as flies and cockroaches in food preparation areas. The eatery was also located near a drainage channel that had become clogged with waste, contributing to localised flooding and a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The commissioner stressed that the closure was a preventive measure to avoid an outbreak of foodborne illnesses, which have been on the rise in areas where food vendors disregard basic hygiene rules. "Public health is non‑negotiable," Ajisafe said. "We will not hesitate to shut down any facility that puts the lives of Ekiti residents at risk."
The crackdown on the ponmo processing facility and the eatery is part of a broader sanitation drive launched by Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s administration, which has prioritised environmental health as a pillar of its development agenda. Since assuming office, the governor has overseen the clearing of major drainage channels, the demolition of illegal structures on road setbacks, and the prosecution of waste dumpers caught dumping refuse in unauthorised locations. The Ministry of Environment has also intensified its inspection of food processing facilities, including abattoirs, bakeries, and sachet water factories, after a 2025 audit revealed that fewer than 40 per cent of such establishments met basic hygiene standards. The current enforcement action against the cow skin facility is one of the first of its kind specifically targeting ponmo processors, a sector that has largely escaped regulatory scrutiny due to its informal nature.
The health risks associated with poorly processed ponmo extend beyond air pollution. Studies conducted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have found that cow hides processed using unapproved chemicals or burnt materials can contain harmful residues, including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known carcinogens. In 2024, the agency seized over 5,000 kilograms of ponmo that tested positive for dangerous levels of lead and chromium in Lagos, but enforcement has been inconsistent across states. The Ekiti State government’s decision to seal the facility sends a strong signal that it intends to regulate the sector more actively, though industry insiders warn that without the creation of modern, centrally‑controlled processing centres, illegal facilities will simply relocate to more remote areas.
The Commissioner for Environment appealed to residents to support the administration’s efforts by reporting any environmental nuisance to the appropriate authorities. She provided emergency contact numbers and encouraged citizens to use the ministry’s dedicated complaint line, which operates 24 hours a day. She also reminded business owners that operating a food processing facility or eatery without obtaining the necessary permits and passing routine inspections is a violation of the Ekiti State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2021. Violators face fines, closure, and, in extreme cases, prosecution leading to imprisonment.
Reactions to the government’s action have been mixed. Residents of the Omisanjanna area, who had endured months of discomfort, expressed relief. "We could not open our windows even at night. The smell was so bad that we were afraid for our children's health," said a mother of three who lives near the sealed facility. "We thank the commissioner for finally acting." However, some traders in the ponmo value chain expressed concern that the closure might lead to shortages and higher prices for the product, which is a staple in many Ekiti households. Ponmo sellers at the Oja Oba market told reporters that they source their hides from multiple suppliers and that the shutdown of one facility would not cause a supply disruption, but they warned that if the government continues to target small‑scale processors without offering alternative locations, the industry could be forced underground.
The owner of the sealed cow skin facility, Mr. Adebayo Omolewa, could not be reached for comment, but a representative who identified himself as a production supervisor said the facility had operated in the area for over six years without previous complaints. "We have made efforts to reduce the smell, but the neighbours are too sensitive," the supervisor said. The commissioner countered that claim by releasing copies of three warning letters sent to the facility between January and March 2026, all of which went unheeded. "This is not a sudden decision. We gave them every opportunity to correct their violations. They chose not to," Ajisafe said.
The ministry has set a 14‑day deadline for the facility to submit a remediation plan, which must include the installation of a proper waste disposal system, a smokeless hide‑singeing machine, and a schedule for regular cleaning of the premises. The eatery, meanwhile, will remain sealed until its owners complete a mandatory hygiene training course and pass a reinspection by the Environmental Sanitation Task Force. The commissioner urged citizens to be vigilant and to prioritise their health over convenience. "A clean environment is not a luxury; it is a right. And we will enforce that right, no matter how long it takes."
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