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Nigeria - Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has been summoned by the House of Reps. for failing to appear in respect of an ongoing investigation into an alleged rice import duty evasion by some importers in the country, Punch reports.
Reports say some of the importers exceeded their import quotas and did not pay duties of over N35bn under a Federal Government import policy targeted at encouraging local production of rice.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the alleged “fraud,” Mr. Leo Ogor, expressed surprise that the minister shunned the hearing in spite of being duly invited.
According to him, the hearing was mandated by the House to investigate alleged fraud, abuses, evasion of import duties by rice importers.
“You are a servant of the people just like we all are. What we are doing here is for the benefit of our nation’s economy. Before the end of the hearing, we are hoping to see people from the ministry come in, otherwise we may be forced to make some very strong pronouncements.”
The committee said complaints reaching it indicated that the minister facilitated the non-payment of the duties for the affected importers and raised questions on the powers of the minister to grant such duty exemptions.
One of the beneficiaries, Olam Farms Limited, claimed that it was never aware of a government directive that it was expected to pay duties for exceeding its import quota but accepted to pay outstanding dues.
The company’s Business Development Head, Mr. Anil Nair, added that as a major stakeholder in the sector, his firm was aware of the rules and could not have deliberately breached any.
#Nigeria #Adesina
Reports say some of the importers exceeded their import quotas and did not pay duties of over N35bn under a Federal Government import policy targeted at encouraging local production of rice.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the alleged “fraud,” Mr. Leo Ogor, expressed surprise that the minister shunned the hearing in spite of being duly invited.
According to him, the hearing was mandated by the House to investigate alleged fraud, abuses, evasion of import duties by rice importers.
“You are a servant of the people just like we all are. What we are doing here is for the benefit of our nation’s economy. Before the end of the hearing, we are hoping to see people from the ministry come in, otherwise we may be forced to make some very strong pronouncements.”
The committee said complaints reaching it indicated that the minister facilitated the non-payment of the duties for the affected importers and raised questions on the powers of the minister to grant such duty exemptions.
One of the beneficiaries, Olam Farms Limited, claimed that it was never aware of a government directive that it was expected to pay duties for exceeding its import quota but accepted to pay outstanding dues.
The company’s Business Development Head, Mr. Anil Nair, added that as a major stakeholder in the sector, his firm was aware of the rules and could not have deliberately breached any.
#Nigeria #Adesina
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