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 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.
Source: The Herald
