Victoria Ayuwei, Per Second News----The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina Thursday revealed that the alleged rice importation duty scam reported to be 21 Billion Naira is actually 36 Billion Naira, which is to be paid into the Federal Government account by rice importers.
The House of Representatives earlier this week invited the minister in regards to the administration of government policy on rice importation and payable duties/levies on import quota by investors.
At the public hearing of Adhoc committee on Rice quota and Duty payment on rice imports quota and Duty payment the minister said, "I was the one that first raised the issue of monies owed the federal government by importers which is to the tune of 36 billion Naira I do not know when the Hunter had now become hunted."
One of the leading rice investor in the country, Olam Nigeria Limited, told legislators in the house of representatives that out of its 3 billion import liability debt, the Agric Minister had notified them of 50percent price relief.
However, Mr. Adesina in response to the alleged scam said that he never granted waiver to any rice importing company contrary to allegations that a foreign rice investor enjoyed the minister's relief in duty payment bills.
" I have to be transparent and no company is above the law therefore,any company owing the Nigerian Government must pay" he added.
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