Reps Threaten to Arrest Minister of Agric Over Non-Appearance

Akinwumi Adesina

Chairman of the committee and Deputy Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, made this known after fingers were pointed in the direction of the Ministry by participants, with regards to the administration of government policy on rice importation and payable duties/levies on import quota by investors.

He said if by today the minister failed to show up before the close of the investigative hearing, the committee would have no choice than to issue a bench warrant.

Ogor in his opening address, had stated that:   ‘’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 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 reserve.

“The minister has no reason not to be here because the Ministry was duly served the invitation. I see no reason why people would be invited to a hearing that’s for the benefit of the people and 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 so; before the end of the hearing; we are hoping to see people from the Ministry come in, otherwise we might be forced to make some very strong pronouncement.”

Chairman of the committee and Deputy Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, made this known after fingers were pointed in the direction of the Ministry by participants, with regards to the administration of government policy on rice importation and payable duties/levies on import quota by investors.
He said if by today the minister failed to show up before the close of the investigative hearing, the committee would have no choice than to issue a bench warrant.
Ogor in his opening address, had stated that:   ‘’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 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 reserve.
“The minister has no reason not to be here because the Ministry was duly served the invitation. I see no reason why people would be invited to a hearing that’s for the benefit of the people and 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 so; before the end of the hearing; we are hoping to see people from the Ministry come in, otherwise we might be forced to make some very strong pronouncement.”
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