The Federal House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina for failing to appear after being summoned in an investigation into alleged rice import duty evasion by some importers in the country.
The chairman of the ad hoc committee conducting the investigation, Mr. Leo Ogor said “This hearing was sequel to a resolution of the House mandating the ad hoc committee to investigate alleged fraud, abuses, evasion of import duties by rice importers.
“The aim is to uncover fraud and expose the endemic corruption in the importation of rice with a view to stemming the tide and boost employment generation as well as strengthen the nation’s depleting foreign reserve.
“The minister has no reason not to be here because the Ministry (of Agriculture) was duly served the invitation.
“I see no reason why people would be invited to a hearing that is for the benefit of the people and they will not turn up.
“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 minister does not have the powers to allocate rice import or production quota to any company and then waive duties because the corresponding revenue involved is for the entire federation, which consists of the three tiers of government.
“The minister should stop deceiving himself thinking that he acts for every tier of government.”
The Committee cited the example of Olams Farms is the single largest farm on the continent of Africa with the capacity to import 243, 747 tonnes of rice on 10 per cent levy and 20 per cent duty yet it has allegedly imported over 245,000 metric tonnes with excess quota amounting to over N3.5bn.
The company’s Business Development Head, Mr. Anil Nair assured the committee that the company was well aware of the rules and could not have breached any saying that any outstanding debt calculated will be fully paid.