Houseof Representatives has resolved to summon the Minister of Industry,
Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, over the Federal Government’s
concession policy on sugar importation.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee
investigating the sugar concession policy, Abiodun Olasupo, told
journalists in Abuja, at the weekend, that other stakeholders,
especially the companies granted waivers, will also be invited to appear
before the panel.
The lawmaker said the ad-hoc, which would
commence its investigations this week, would be looking at how the
concession policy was operated between 2013 and 2016 and beyond.
According to him, the Federal Government
came up with the policy of granting a very low tariff and levy to
certain companies with the aim that whatever savings made from the
concession would be used to finance the growing of sugarcane across the
country and creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
“Our findings in the House show that this
hasn’t been done. The House got worried and constituted this committee
to look into the books of Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment on
the matter,” he said.
Olasupo said his committee will leave no
stone unturned in its quest to ensure that those who shortchanged the
country while carrying out their businesses will face the law.
He added: “The scope covers 2013 to 2016,
but we are not restricted to that period. Yes, we may not go beyond
2013, but we can go to 2016 and beyond if it means the committee should
do that for us to get the best for Nigeria.
“ We are going to get in touch with every
actor in this concessionary policy. Whoever that’s involved either
minutely or majorly will be invited to come and give their own part of the story.
“Majorly, we are looking at the Federal
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. It is through their books
that we’ll be able to get all other stakeholders. The minister is the
head of the ministry. Definitely we have to invite him.”