A University Don, Prof. Mubarak Sanni has lauded the Kwara State Government’s efforts over time in the area of digital revenue generation.
Sanni, a professor of Accounting from Kwara State University, Malete stated this weekend in his lecture during the 12th year anniversary of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Ilorin District held at Queen’s School, Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to him, “every indices have pointed to the fact that automation of revenue generation has brought about a shift increase in revenue over time in Kwara and this need to be commended.
“There is no doubt that the Kwara State Government has to be commended in this regard. In the last four years, Kwara is in the 4th radar overall in Nigeria in terms of revenue generation through automation.Â
“The Kwara State Government through Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), I think they are performing very well. Looking at what is happening in Kwara state, you will observe that automation of revenue has fully assisted. The revenue is increasing every year,” he said.
He added that though there are barriers to the automation system of tax payments, it is a valuable addition to revenue generation, saying revenue played a key role in economic development.
“It is a fact that allocations from the federation account in the recent time have been dwindling, hence the best we can do is to work on revenue automation generation. With this, there will be lots of social and economic developments.
“The Kwara State Government is doing very well in terms of infrastructures and other social amenities, but my belief is that with automation, more can still be done. There are many challenges to automation. The hackers outside the system have been interfacing which I think it should be looked into.
“Two, the issue of accessibility to the internet. Most taxpayers do not have access to the internet, particularly those in rural areas. I think the government should look into it. Automation has to go with orientations, ” Sanni stressed.
The professor of accounting also lauded the Ilorin District Society of Charted Institute of Taxation of Nigeria(CITN) for its steadfastness in providing an advisory role on tax matters to the Kwara State Government.
Earlier, the chairman of Charted Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Ilorin District Society, Hon. Abdurasheed Taiwo Abdulahi had charged the Kwara State Government on the need to place value on tax payments in the state.
The former lawmaker said in as much as it is the civic duty of citizenry to pay taxes, it is also incumbent on the government to always ensure it ploughs the proceeds from taxation for infrastructural development.
“Part of our duty at CITN is to sensitise Kwarans on the need for them not to evade tax. At the same time, there should be something to show in terms of infrastructure and social amenities to justify tax payments by Kwarans.
“We at CITN have always advocated for professionalism in the administration of tax management in Kwara State. Oil revenue is no longer there again, the only alternative governments have now is to increase their IGR through taxation, ” Abdulahi said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the chairman, of the planning committee of the 12th anniversary of the Ilorin District Society of Charted Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Mrs Mujidat Aliagan affirmed that CITN activities have led to an increase in IGR generation in Kwara State.
“We are here to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Ilorin district and also the investiture of the second coordinator of the Kwara chapter.
“CITN as a body is meant to look into the tax policy issue, and tax laws. We are like advisers to the Kwara State Government on taxation and we sensitise taxpayers. CITN has significantly improved revenue generation in Kwara,” Aliagan affirmed.
She, therefore, advised the government to promote professionalism in the State so as to improve all sectors of the economy.
Aliagan also advised citizens to see tax payment as a compulsory levy that is backed by law and not a voluntary payment stressing that this payment of taxes will help the government to achieve its primary objective of infrastructural development in the State.
