Iraq’s parliament on Tuesday questioned acting Trade Minister Salman al-Jumaili over corruption allegations linked to the ministry, mostly stemming from a deal to import Indian rice in 2016.
The minister, a Sunni Muslim in a government dominated by Shi’ites, was questioned by lawmaker Alia Nussayif and denied any wrongdoing by the ministry.
Allegations included importing and distributing contaminated rice and questionable licenses for new wheat mills that went against regulations for the subsidy program.
Jumaili told the parliament that of the 40,000-tonne rice cargo in question, only 4,000 tonnes were infected by a bug, and that quantity was rejected and funds for it returned, parliament sources said.
Nussayif said that the cargo, which was distributed to the Iraqi market, was dangerous to public health and had to be fumigated three times.
Parliament said it would continue discussing the issue in future sessions.
Iraq, a major rice and wheat importer, has previously faced graft accusations connected to its trade ministry, which purchases strategic commodities.
The trade ministry has been struggling to import grains for its food subsidy program this year after introducing new payment and quality terms that kept traders away from its international tenders.
In May, the cabinet authorized the ministry to make direct purchases of wheat and rice to guarantee food security, a reflection of its struggle to garner enough interest through its tender process.
Iraq is expected to produce around 250,000 tonnes of rice this year suggesting an import gap of around 1 million tonnes.
Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has promised to tackle corruption in a political system that doles out positions along ethnic and sectarian lines, creating powerful patronage networks.
REUTERS
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