Nigeria’s House of Representatives yesterday, directed Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover the outstanding import duty on imported rice from some companies indicted for tax evasion.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of the recommendations in the report of the Adhoc committee on ‘Evasion of payment of import duty on imported rice’ headed by Leo Igor, deputy House Leader.
To this end, the House directed Nigerian Customs to “recover every outstanding monies and seal up all their warehouses and their other businesses until the very last kobo is recovered to the government coffers in line with the Customs Act.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should assist in prompt recovery of all outstanding monies owed the Federal Government by these companies.
The House also called for the immediate cancellation of the entire quota allocation system and suspension of the 2015 quota allocation and that the Nigerian Customs service should henceforth implement the pure rice traders policy alone.
The lawmakers also directed that the liabilities of Tara Agro industries and Ebony Agro industries (sister companies) which is run by the same management should be consolidated in line with their quota allocations.
Likewise the House urged the 8th Assembly which will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 9th June 2015 to investigate a lot of companies involved in the rice importation with the view to recover every kobo owed the Nigerian government.
They also tasked NCS to insist only on verifiable bank guarantees from reputable banks and stop henceforth acceptance of any corporate guarantee from companies involved in rice importation.
Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development had during the investigative public hearing denied granting discretional waiver to any of the licences companies.
SOURCE: All Africa
