By Emman Ovuakporie and Gabriel Ewepu
ABUJA  – Agriculture and rural development minister, Akinwumi AdesinaTuesday said the alleged  rice import duty scam that was widely reported to be N21billion was actually N36billion that needed to be paid into federal coffers.

The minister who disclosed this at a public hearing on ‘Rice imports Quota And Duty Payments’ however denied any link with granting waiver to any rice importing company, against the allegations that certain foreign rice investors enjoyed the minister’ relief in duty payment liabilities.

Adesina, said the issue of monies owed the federal government, which is to the tune of N36 billion by the importers was first raised by himself, even though he was not in a position to receive the monies.

This is barely 24 hours  after Olam Nigeria Limited, a leading rice investor in the country told the House of Representatives that out of its N3 billion import liability debt, the. Agric minister had written them, notifying them of 50 percent relief.

More details soon