With the objective of developing measurable strategies for revenue generation for the State, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), held a 2-day Management Retreat from Friday 29th to Saturday 30th of January, 2021.
The Service’s Executive Chairman, Shade Omoniyi in her opening remarks, reinforced the vision and mission statement of the Service, pointing out that the KW-IRS workforce has been called to serve through revenue mobilization for the strategic development of the State.
Her remarks tagged “KW-IRS: The Way Forward”, revolved around the IGR trend in Kwara State from 2012 to 2020, the success recorded in cost-saving reforms within the Service, the significant drop in the 2020 IGR figures, how the Service can fully adjust to the Covid-19 era while maximizing revenue collection and looking ahead; growing the revenue for the State by a projection of 25% increase year on year, in the next three years-2021, 2022 and 2023, using the year 2019 as the base year.
The retreat which complied adequately with the Covid-19 precautionary measures witnessed the attendance of top and middle management staff of KW-IRS, the retreat facilitators, and stakeholders within the State and outside, both physically and virtually.
There were presentations from the Executive Chairman, Kaduna State, IRS, Zaid Abubakar, Ph.D., Tax, and Business experts and consultants; Taiwo Oyedele, PwC, Kareem Adedokun, Ph.D. from Kwara State University, Kareem Olatoye, Ph.D., Sola Animashaun Ph.D. from Lagos State University and Clement Isikwe of Clemeridian group from Lagos.
Similarly, the Directorates and Departments of the Service made presentations.
Issues and propositions raised were thoroughly deliberated on during the strategic sessions, culminating in the adoption of new processes, technology, working on untapped revenue potentials and strategies to improving collections for the State.
Doing justice to issues relating to improving operational efficiency, relationship, and attitudes of staff, taxpayers, and MDAs in the State, towards a better revenue drive for the State, were the Head of Service, Kwara State, Mrs. Oluwole Modupe, the Accountant General of the State, Permanent Secretaries, Directors from various MDAs, Hospital Management Bureau, Chief Medical Directors and Local Government Councils of Kwara State.
Increasing efficiency in service delivery and making the performance more measurable through the use of technology; automation of payment systems to curb leakages, improve synergy between KW-IRS and its stakeholders, the implications of Finance Act 2020 on States’ internal revenue generation form hallmarks of the retreat.
The KW-IRS believes that the goals of the retreat would be achieved and surpassed through the dedication, commitment, and cooperation of all stakeholders in the State.