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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Rice Importers Owe FG N44BN - Senate Committee (385 Views)
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Rice Importers Owe FG N44BN - Senate Committee by Episteme2(m): 3:26pm On Oct 20, 2015 |
The Senate ad-hoc Committee on Import Duty Waivers, on
Monday accused two foreign companies, Messrs Stallion
Group and Olam International, which were involved in rice
importation into the country, of owing Nigeria N44bn as
import duties on 457,000 metric tonnes they imported since
May 2014.
The panel stated this when the representatives of the two
firms appeared before it to answer their connection with the
flagrant abuse of rice waivers’ policy in the country.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Adamu Aliero,
demanded full payment of the money owed by the foreign
firms, insisting that “Nigeria would not fold its hands and
watch the huge debt swept under the carpet.”
He said, “There is no way the government will ignore this
kind of money. We have to ensure that that this money is
collected and deposited into the federation account”
Aliero further claimed that the companies imported rice into
the country without paying waivers, off-loaded it into their
warehouses and refused to pay required duties when asked
by the Nigeria Customs Service.
He noted with concern that, while the Nigeria Customs
Service confronted Stallion Group with payment demand
notices, the firm opted to drag NCS to court.
He also accused the company of exceeding the quota given
to it to import 157,000 metric tonnes of rice with impunity
by importing 457,000 metric tonnes in excess of its required
quota.
But while defending the action of his firm, the Executive
Director of Stallion Group, Harpreet Singh, claimed that their
mission in Nigeria was to ensure that the country was self-
sufficient in rice production.
He also said the firm had planned that the nation is saved
from the global scarcity of the commodity.
He also claimed that Nigerian borders were porous and that
former President Goodluck Jonathan granted the approval
on fiscal policy on rice production on May 26, 2014.
According to him, the Ministry of Agriculture opted to flout
the tenets of the policy by giving quotas to “non-existing
millers and investors who have no connection with the
policy while existing investors were left blind.”
He claimed further that the Stallion Group’s investments in
Nigeria were not giving jobs to foreigners but to Nigerians.
He said that his company had lost millions of naira to
activities of smugglers as a result of porous borders.
Olam, through his spokesperson, Ade Adefeko, claimed that
it had the largest rice farm in Africa and that it has been
operating in Nigeria in the past 35 years.
He argued that given its long period of business operation in
Nigeria, the company would not consider short-changing the
nation.
According to the Olam’s representative, the company was
seeking a legal opinion on the matter, saying whatever
counsel it is given, it would be duly followed. www.punchng.com/news/rice-importers-owe-fg-n44bn-senate/ 1 Like |
Re: Rice Importers Owe FG N44BN - Senate Committee by glimpse33(m): 3:27pm On Oct 20, 2015 |
44 Billion? Yet Rice Scarce 1 Like |
Re: Rice Importers Owe FG N44BN - Senate Committee by kossyablaze(m): 3:31pm On Oct 20, 2015 |
They must pay o 3 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Rice Importers Owe FG N44BN - Senate Committee by Beedemi247: 3:32pm On Oct 20, 2015 |
hmmm |
Re: Rice Importers Owe FG N44BN - Senate Committee by benedictnsi(m): 3:33pm On Oct 20, 2015 |
Imagine..... Even rice importers, owing in billions yet nothing to show for it...... As December approaches, it's cost increases in the market |
Re: Rice Importers Owe FG N44BN - Senate Committee by Episteme2(m): 11:27pm On Oct 20, 2015 |
There is no way the government can ignore this kind of money - Committee Chairman |
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