House of Representatives summoned the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

The House of Representatives on Monday summoned the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for failing to appear in respect of an ongoing investigation into alleged rice import duty evasion by some importers in the country.

 

Some of the importers allegedly exceeded their import quota, but reportedly did not pay duties of over N3.5bn under a Federal Government import policy targeted at encouraging local production of rice.

 

Chairman of the adhoc committee, investigating the alleged “fraud”, Mr. Leo Ogor, expressed surprise that the minister shunned the hearing in spite of being duly invited.

 

 He stated, ‎”This hearing was sequel to a resolution of the House mandating the ad-hoc committee to investigate alleged fraud, abuses and 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 reserves.

“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.”