The Senate Joint Committee on Customs and Marine Transport has commenced the quizzing of over 60 companies, as part of its investigation into alleged revenue leakage of over N30 trillion in the import and export value chain.
The Chairman of the joint committee, Hope Uzodinma, at an investigative meeting with of some the companies in Abuja on Tuesday, assured that the committee would do all within its powers to recover the funds.
He said the companies would be invited in batches.
Companies invited to the Tuesday meeting are Airtel, CCCEC Nigeria Limited, China Export Limited, CFAO Group, Chi Limited, Bhojsons Limited, Bharat Ventures Limited and Boulos Group.
Others are African Wire and Allied Limited, Admiral Overseas Nigeria Limited, CKS International Limited, Abyem-Diva International Limited and Aarti Steel Nigeria Limited.
While decrying the level of complicity in the import and export value chain in the country, the lawmaker said the National Assembly would ensure that measures were taken to stop the act.
“This is a continuation of the investigation that is ongoing and we have now started interfacing with the various companies that are directly involved in the infractions that we identified in the course of our investigation.
“Most of the companies have no evidence to show that our position is not correct.
“So it is our hope that working together whether you are from the executive arm, judiciary or the legislature, we must acknowledge the need for us to protect our national interest.
“We must grow this economy. Over the years we over relied on oil revenue. The only way to rescue the economy from the present state is to expand our sources of income by strengthening the non-oil revenue earnings.
“The companies have pleaded to come back on Tuesday, and then we will invite the Nigerian Customs Service to issue necessary demand notice to all established cases.
“Then the companies will make payments into the Federation Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),’’ he said.
On why the investigation had lingered for long, Uzodinma explained that it was in different stages.
He said the committee had interfaced with commercial banks as well as various agencies of government.
According to him, the committee’s meeting with the companies was the first of its kind.
“It won’t be out of place to give them one week to get back to us. We will do this to satisfy the doctrine of fair hearing and if there is anything they have to say to the contrary, they will have the opportunity to defend themselves.
“We do hope that after the session, government will be able to earn more money,’’ he said.
The chairman said with the success achieved so far, the panel would do its best to bring the investigation to conclusion in no distant time.
He said the committee had already identified about 60 companies whose infractions were within the range of N10 billion and above after which they will move to the next batch.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
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