The Kwara Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Alhaji Wasiu Odewale, on Tuesday said the state would create effective tax administration to increase its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Odewale told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that although the state had been collecting taxes from the people in the state, the collection system had been very faulty.

He explained that there had been many leakages in the collection process and the state had decided to be more efficient in the collection of tax in the state.

He said,“ we are not introducing any tax but we want to be efficient just as the Federal Government is also doing in our tax collection by blocking leakages.

“The ability of people to pay taxes is there and they are willing to pay but we have been relaxing because we have been getting free fund from the Federal Government.

“ Today, the fund is no more there so we want to create effectiveness in our tax administration which is why we have established Kwara Inland Revenue Services and other agencies.

“ These agencies will be able to drive the need for that administration and control of tax collection in the state,’’ Odewale said.

The commissioner said if the tax collection was done effectively and efficiently, it would generate so much money for the state which would be utilised in its development.

He explained that one of the areas which the funds would be channeled to on infrastructure which was key to economic development.

Odewale said the infrastructure would aid and boost agricultural activities of the state, thereby contributing to the internally generated revenue of the state.

He noted that the government was working at providing a conducive environment that would encourage both local and foreign investors.

He said when this was achieved, it would create jobs for the people and youth unemployment would be a thing of the past.

On the outlook of the state in 2016, the commissioner said it was targeting an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N5 billion on a monthly basis which is about N60billion.

Also, Mr Othman Ibrahim, Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Nassarawa State, said the emphasis of the state was on solid minerals and agriculture.

He said,“ the era of depending on federation account is long over and the state government is dwelling seriously on this two areas so that we can meet up with our demands.

“`It will also help us to avoid running into problems as we try to implement policies in line with our budget.

“ We are finding a way around it so that the state can directly be involved in some of the mining activities in the state to enable us make some money directly.

“Being an agrarian state, we will ensure the farmers engage in mechanised farming to provide crops for both internal marketing and for exportation. (NAN)