Date: 2016-10-06

Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, KWIRS, Wednesday generated a total sum of N12.5 billion for the state government in nine months.

Chairman of the service, Dr. Murtala Awodun, who spoke at what he called a quarterly press briefing, said his tax agency got legal tooth on October 4, 2015 but did not commence operation until January this year.

Giving a quarterly breakdown of how KWIRS had fared, Awodun said as against a dismal performance in previous years, the agency generated the sum of N977million in January 2016; N1.07 billion in Februaryand N1.25 billion in March.

Also, he said KWIRS garnered N2.6billion in April, N1.44billion in May, N1.41billion in June as well as N1.09billion in July, N1.74billion in August and N1.5billion in September totalling N12.5billion for the firstthree quarters of the year.

Awodun said this feat was against N5.86billion in 2015 and the previous years, and accused members of the disbanded State Revenue Board of dishonesty by generating half the amount for the government.

Meanwhile, the revenue service boss said his agency does not only generate huge revenue for the government which had become the bail out for it this recession time, but also went further to serve as the adviser and guide on how the impressive revenue generated for it was harnessed for developmental projects for the benefit of the people. He also said KWIRS got approval of the House of Assembly to earmark the sum of N40 million for itself every month as part of its corporate community/social service programme to identify with the urgent micro needs of selected spectra of the communities for immediate assistance.

This method, he said, is a persuasive strategy to win the hearts of the people and convince them that despite paying their taxes, the agency is set to serve them.