The Senate’ Ad Hoc Committee on Waivers has uncovered series of ways the policy is being used by importers and relevant government agencies to defraud
the Nation of billions of Naira.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Adamu Aliero (APC Kebbi Central, pictured), in a chat with journalists after the sitting of the committee who disclosed this said the committee has summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Finance on the issue.
Although, Aliero was not specific on the alleged rots uncovered so far, said the matter would be uncover fully during the public hearing and in the final report the committee will later submit to the Senate.
He said: “We have sent letters of invitations to MDAs like the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria and of course, the Nigeria Customs Service , to give us relevant information that will help us to carry out the assignment given us very effectively and in fact, unearth the rot waivers have caused in the system.
“We are very happy with the responses we have gotten so far from the MDAs. What we are doing now is to start compiling the reports and make our recommendations before which a public hearing will be held where the abuse of the policy either by importers or relevant government agencies, will be made open to Nigerians.
He added that the committee will be meeting again next week Tuesday, where final decisions would be taken on how it will go about the Public hearing.
The Senate had on the strength of a motion moved by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim (APC Kwara Central) in July, where he alleged that Nigeria losses N585 billion between 2011 and 2014 to waivers on Rice and other food items, set up the committee.
It will, among others, look into this policy regime and simultaneously carry out its holistic review with a view to determining government revenues lost to waivers scheme.
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