The federal government says it is considering legislation to prohibit the consumption of animal skin, known locally as ponmo, in the country in order to revitalize tanneries.
On Sunday, Muhammad Yakubu, director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Zaria, stated this in Abuja.
Yakubu stated that the litigation was necessary to resurrect the country’s dormant leather industry.
He believes that eating animal skin, which has no nutritional value, should be discontinued in order to save the industry and boost the nation’s economy.
The director-general added that the institute, in collaboration with stakeholders in the industry, would approach the national assembly and state governments to bring out legislation banning “ponmo” consumption.