The Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Shade Omoniyi has rewarded the overall winner of the just concluded 2020 National Tax Quiz Competition.
Presenting a cash prize on Thursday, 12/11/2020 at the KW-IRS corporate head office in Ilorin, to further encourage excellence in education and support the 22nd Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) held in Lagos State recently, she commended the CITN body for the initiative and inclusion of the tax quiz in the activities of the 2020 conference.
Wisdom Gabriel Odusanya, a 200 level Accounting student from the University of Ilorin emerged the overall winner at the grand finale of the tax quiz competition, among six other close contestants from the University of Lagos, University of Benin, and University of Maiduguri.
Earlier at the conference in Lagos, the winner, Wisdom Odusanya received a cash prize of N300, 000.00 (Three hundred Thousand Naira Only), a brand new HP computer laptop, and several tax-related books and materials, courtesy of the CITN.
Odusanya also received cash prizes from Unilorin Alumni Association (Lagos chapter) and won for himself the CITN Ambassadorial slot for one year which affords him participation in national activities of the CITN. Also, the winner enjoys an automatic internship placement and association with the CITN Ilorin & District Society and Nigeria as a whole.
Other contestants who emerged 1st and 2nd runner up also received cash prizes, computer laptops, and tax-related books respectively. The other three participants that made the final list were also rewarded by CITN.
The 22nd Annual Tax Conference, themed ‘Taxation an Economic Competitiveness: Imperatives of National Development” featured salient taxation and economic subject matter, with reputable discussants on the topics for the conference.
The Conference noted the key stakeholders of taxations as the Government, Corporate bodies, and Individuals, with emphasis that for Government to succeed in its developmental ambitions and provide desired and necessary infrastructures and security for the State, every taxable citizen must be in the tax net and continue to collaborate in ensuring the usage of tax policies towards the generation of revenue and viable economic.
The 2020 CITN Conference was graced by the Governors of Lagos and Kaduna States, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai respectively.
Also, in attendance were the Executive Chairmen of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Kwara, and Lagos States Internal Revenue Service, Muhammad Mamman Nami, Shade Omoniyi, and Ayodele Subair respectively, Chairmen and representatives from IRS across Nigeria, various political and economic figures, States’ delegates and participants from all walks of life.

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) has generated the sum of N4,015,178,972.55 (Four Billion, Fifteen Million, One Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy- Two Naira, Fifty-Five Kobo Only) out of a quarterly budget of N6,499,393,323.99 (Six Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-Three Naira, Ninety-Nine Kobo Only) for the third Quarter of the year 2020.

The breakdown of revenue generated within the three (3) months of Q3 (July, August, and September 2020) is highlighted as follows:

Month                                                Revenue Generated (N)

July                                                     961,003,235.92

August                                                1 ,954,501,513.87

September                                         1,099,674,222.76

Total                                                    4,015,178,972.55

Recall the Service raked in N7.2billion and N2.1billion in Q1 and Q2 of 2020 respectively.

The Q3 revenue achievement is an increase of about 87%, compared with figures recorded in Q2 of the year and this is as a result of the ease of lockdown and resumption of business activities across the spheres of the economy of the State.

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, therefore, has generated a total revenue of N13,396,892,060.21 (Thirteen Billion, Three Hundred and Ninety- Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand, Sixty Naira and Twenty-One Kobo Only) from a budget of N19,498,179,971.97 (Nineteen Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy-One Naira and Ninety-Seven Kobo Only), year to date, which translates to a fulfillment of a Sixty-Nine Percent (69%) collection achievement as at September 2020.

The Service has introduced harmonized bills for Taxpayers as relevant to respective taxpayers, where various revenue items accruable to the MDAs across the State are consolidated and served. The harmonized bills avail taxpayers their total revenue and tax obligations to the State, streamline interaction of revenue authorities with taxpayers in the State, give room for adequate data capturing, payment narration and receipting of all payments made.

The collectibles on the harmonized bill include Registration and Renewal Fees on Business Premises, Signage and Advertisement fee, Fire Prevention/ Inspection of Establishment Fee, Earning from Gaseous Emission, Environmental Health and Safety Permit fees, Street Set back.

Also, consolidated on the harmonized bills are Registration and Renewal of License such as Hospital, Clinics and Laboratories, Drug stores, Cold rooms, Agro dealers, slaughter slab, Veterinary drug store, Feed Mills centers, Livestock farm, Schools, Car dealers and Private Garages, Hotel, Event centres, Eateries and Restaurants.

Furthermore, in its bid to ease Tax Payment and ensure continued blockage of all forms of revenue leakages, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) provided seamless Online Payment Platforms as opposed to direct cash lodgments into the IGR accounts of the State. The links to the online payment platforms are available on the KW-IRS official website  (irs.kw.gov.ng) and on all its social media platforms.

The Service remains focused in the drive of its sole responsibility of Mobilizing Revenue for the Strategic Development of Kwara State, with all efforts geared towards consolidating its performance in the last quarter of the year, as schools and other major economic activities in the State resume fully. This is as the government continues to do its best to stopping all forms of criminalities and unrest in the State capital caused by hoodlums who hid under the #EndSARS protests to perpetrate crimes all across the nation.

Signed

Shade Omoniyi

Executive Chairman, KW-IRS

The 14th President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Dame Gladys Olajumoke Simplice (FCTI) in the company of Principal National Officers of the Institute made a courtesy call on the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Shade Omoniyi on Tuesday, 15th September 2020, at the KW-IRS Corporate Head Office in Ilorin.

Dame Simplice commended the cooperation of KW-IRS and the great support received from Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led administration in making the dream of establishing a Chartered Tax Academy in Kwara State a reality.

She noted that to achieve the laudable initiative, the Institute recently added a prominent indigene of Kwara State, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, Kwara State University, Malete, Dr. Akeem Adedokun as an Adjunct Associate Professor to assist with the smooth running of the Academy and to also create a perfect foundation for prospective students with the support of the Provost and Governing Board.

Parts of the reasons for the working visit, the CITN national president said, was for the institute to also secure another location within the Ilorin metropolis for the project’s site, commending the support provided by the State government in the provision of office space to host the Chartered Tax Academy (CTA) in the interim.

The CITN Boss stated that the plan of the Institute for the coming months will include the commencement of the CTA building, launching and foundation laying/turning of sod ceremony, collaboration with KWASU to commence Post Graduate Programs of the Academy i.e. (MBA, M.Sc., Ph.D. with ACTI linkage), the introduction of certificate courses in Taxation, the introduction of professional Diploma in Taxation, etc.

She, however, seeks continuous support of the KW-IR in enrolment of staff into the programs of the Chartered Tax Academy in Ilorin, Kwara State Capital when it takes off.

Also, she said the Institute’s 22nd Annual Tax Conference themed “Taxation and Economic Competitiveness: Imperatives for National Development” holds in Lagos State from 4th to 6th November 2020, and the invitation is open to KW-IRS, assuring the Service of continuous partnership and collaboration aimed at entrenching best practice and professionalism in the Nigeria Tax system.

Giving her response, the Executive Chairman, KW-IRS Shade Omoniyi commended the leadership of the CITN and other Principal Officers of the Institute for the working visit and the opportunity provided to create a more beneficial relationship with the Service at all times, she reiterated that the KW-IRS will always be available to render needed supports to the Institute.

The Executive Chairman, KW-IRS pointed out that the primary goal of the productive collaboration between the Service and the CITN is to further develop strong tax administration and create a unifying platform to build tax administrators and professionals and work towards an improved revenue generation for the State.

She thanked Dame Gladys Olajumoke Simplice and her team, assuring CITN members of an open door at all times.

*Welcomes ICPC probe of own activities

Our attention is drawn to a cocktail of misinformation, mischief, and outright falsehood contained in an alleged petition to the ICPC by a group on the lawful activities of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS). Having gone through the article published by an online platform, since the Service is not aware of any petition against it before the ICPC, the following four issues were raised:

(1).non-existence of MOU between the Service and the service provider (consultant), Compumetrics Solutions Limited (CSL);

(2). that the said firm was being paid humongous sums without any record of service delivery to the KW-IRS;

(3). that the KW-IRS was not in full grasp of relevant tax laws as per Value Added Tax or the Withholding Tax as they relate to its operations;

(4), and, finally, that the agency has not been publishing details of IGR, which, according to the group, means that the KW-IRS is being run in secrecy.

While the agency awaits invitation from the ICPC in the event that any petition was indeed forwarded to it, it owes an obligation to the tax-paying Kwara public to clear the air on the issues raised.

(1). The new leadership of KW-IRS inherited some consultants who supplied what was known as Amanda software. But it was on record that the (Amanda) solution was not being used by the Service. An initial assessment was carried out with questionnaire issued to staff of the service at the inception of this administration and all respondents claimed that the solution was not working or beneficial to the Service. The outcome of the survey affirmed that the solution was not efficient. In an attempt to resolve this issue, the platform providers were invited on 11th October 2019 to defend this position and, after deliberations and their acceptance of all the issues raised, they promised to resolve all the issues within two months. But the issues kept reoccurring and new ones developed even after the two months had lapsed. The system finally collapsed and users were locked out on 21st December 2019. The Service was only able to salvage the data by the proactive action backups done in-house at the inception of this administration.

The new leadership, which assumed office in October 2019, had seen the problem coming along with other irregularities that were at variance with the policy thrust of the new administration. It had therefore kick started a process to engage new consultants in line with relevant laws of the service.

The new leadership developed a Technical Request for Proposal which was sent to five different platform providers, listing all the expected deliverables of the required platform for efficient running of the Service.

There were submissions of proposals and assessments of same were carried out by an internal team comprising all the necessary stakeholders in the agency, including  representative of the audit department.

All the five firms made presentations to the team after which two were shortlisted for further clarifications and negotiations in line with global best practices. The KW-IRS team signed off at each milestone for the sake of due process. 

All things considered, the CSL was finally selected as the new consultants and the MOU was developed which was duly signed and executed between both parties. The Service has full records of this rigorous process. The CSL, an household name in Nigeria’s tax consultancy industry, works in various states of the federation. We wish to state that the CSL was engaged only after the former Consultant’s contract was terminated.

For the sake of posterity, we want to place on record that that was the first time since KW-IRS was established that the Agency was having a rigorous and transparent process to select its consultants.

Indeed, there are pending cases of the Agency not having consultancy agreements/MOU on record to justify some payments to the former consultants. This administration is proud to have done things differently. It is therefore false to say that there was no MOU between the agency and the CSL. Compumetrics Solutions Limited was selected as platform providers to KWIRS after a rigorous selection process.

(2). The group also alleged that Compumetrics is getting paid for doing nothing for the KW-IRS. Nothing can be so far from the truth. The Consultants has deployed IT infrastructures with both front and back end interfaces.

The back end interface has been deployed since January, 2020, which involves the integration of the platform with all the payment platforms, solutions providers’ systems, and all the collecting banks platforms.

Some of its services have included training of 26 project members, mapping and documentation of current processes; conducting sessions with Process Owners and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on Process improvement and merging of similar processes which have reduced the number of business processes and documentation of same; data cleansing and stratification;

Completion of key modules and test running on the Platform;  Development of template for the online receipt and Inventory Management System for the Store process.

The consultants also consolidated all liabilities for Banks and Petroleum sector for Debt Recovery; developed  a debt profile template for the use of revenue generating Directorates; and developed SMS and Email notification to taxpayers as well as deployment of POS machines for collections.

It is important to state that this administration has been very prudent and conscious of the need to manage public resources. Prior to this administration, the payout to consultants at KW-IRS was at some point about N3.5b in one year — whereas the current consultants have only been paid N357m since the inception of this administration.

Worse still, the former consultants were paid fees on total collections, instead of what passed through the system, a clear violation of their agreement. They were getting paid for solutions not provided. The former consultants had a practice of not submitting invoices for work done;  rather, directive to pay them came from the Executive Chairman’s office. Cases of this are also on going with relevant anti-graft agency.

For the sake of transparency and prudence, there is a variety of payment options now, compared to the previous platform.

(3): The group also talked about the issue of Withholding Tax and VAT deducted from the invoice. The basic response is that VAT as at January 2020 was 5%, while the 7.5% VAT regime only started in February 2020. The Withholding Tax (WHT) can be either 5% or 10%, depending on the business name of the company. That is the position of the extant law.

(4): The group also claimed that the KW-IRS has not been releasing IGR details even on its website. This is another lie. Information on IGR collections for Q1 and Q2 2020 is on the KWIRS’ website and all our other online and social media handles, which detailed the performance on IGR collections. The KW-IRS only recently just issued a press release to that effect on July 23rd, 2020. Details about IGR figures for the whole of 2019 are also on the website and were released at various times in the budget implementation report.

Having said the above, the KW-IRS is aware that the ongoing reforms of the present administration will not go unchallenged by some forces, internally and externally, for whom the agency was once a cash-cow! But the new leadership of the KW-IRS is fully aware of the enormous trust reposed in the new administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the need to do things the right way. That trust will be guided jealously!

Finally, the Agency welcomes the ICPC or any probe of its activities for the new leadership has nothing to hide or bother about other than its integrity and the general good of the Kwara public.

Shade Omoniyi

Executive Chairman, KW-IRS.

September 16th, 2020

As part of an effort by Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) in continuing to foster a cordial relationship with various associations, unions, stakeholders, and taxpayers, the Service on Wednesday 9th of September hosted a One-Day sensitization and interactive program in Offa Local government area of Kwara State.

The interactive meeting was coordinated by the Area Coordinator, Offa Area Office, Mr. Femi Oguntokun. 

In his opening address, he expressed appreciation to the various stakeholders and Union excos present at the meeting for honouring the invitation and providing an avenue for an improved relationship.

He said the essence of the meeting was to re-emphasize the importance of tax compliance to registered unions and associations in the State, encouraging members to bear in mind that tax payment remains a civic responsibility.

In their separate responses, the Branch Chairman, Kwara State Hotelier Association, Offa Branch, and the Chairman, Igbo Traders Association Mr. Femi Makinde and Mr. Okonkwo appealed to the Service to ensure that all registered members enjoy equal treatment and disallow pleasant treatment for uncompliant members to avoid unhealthy rivalry.

They also seek for continuous interaction and engagement of all registered members of their respective associations and promised to render needed support to the Service for the State’s revenue development.

Also speaking at the interactive meeting, the Chairman, Offa Descendant Union (O.D.U) hailed the Executive Chairman, Shade Omoniyi for her continuous support to the various registered Unions since she assumes office and her effort towards revenue generation in the State. 

He further expressed the importance of a tax-compliant society, appealing to stakeholders and associations leaders to continue to mobilize members to take responsibility and pay their taxes promptly. 

Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) has pledged continuous supports to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in fighting corruption in all its forms.

The Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Shade Omoniyi disclosed this on Thursday, 10th of September 2020, when she led the top Management team of KW-IRS on a Courtesy visit to the Ilorin Zonal Office of EFCC. On her visit team were Director, Legal & Compliance, Abdulteef Okandeji Esq., Director, Accounts & Finance, Omolara Ojulari and Director, Admin & Operations, Olatunji Balogun.

According to the KW-IRS boss, she said the visit was her first to the EFCC premises in Ilorin since she assumed office as the Executive Chairman of KW-IRS about a year ago and it was to welcome the new Zonal Head of EFCC, Ilorin, Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent, Kazeem Oseni to the State and put a face to the brand – KW-IRS.

She added “Integrity is very key in whatever we do, and I know we need to be open and transparent in the discharge of our duties and seek collaboration in revenue drive for the State.”

Shade Omoniyi noted that improvement of IGR for the State and joining hands with the anti-graft agency to handle issues that might arise in the course of doing the revenue job remain paramount.

Responding, the Zonal Head of the EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Office, DCDS Kazeem Oseni, appreciated the delegation from KW-IRS and vowed better collaboration. He remarked that the two agencies of government, KW-IRS and EFCC have been working together and EFCC will not relent in responding when called upon for any assistance.

Oseni emphasized that KW-IRS will make their job a lot easier when right things are done at all times; urging  KW-IRS not to only focus on revenue drive for the strategic development of Kwara State, but also see to blockage of revenue leakages and proper record keeping, while dealing with both individual and corporate entities.

Together, DCDS Oseni said, we can build a better society.

The Kwara State Government has announced the appointment of Omolara Mulikat Ojulari and Olatunji Ahmed Balogun as new full-fledged Directors for the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service.

The appointment takes effect immediately.

Omolara Mulikat Ojulari is a seasoned Revenue Administrator. She holds B.Sc. in Actuarial Science at the University of Lagos and M.Sc. Accounting and Finance at the London Southbank University, United Kingdom. She is an Associate of Chartered and Certified Accountants (England and Wales), Associate Member, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Associate member, Chartered Institute of Taxation, Nigeria (CITN).

Omolara Ojulari has a short stint in the banking industry between 1992 and 1995 and was a Senior Accountant, London Academy for High Education from 2005 to 2010. Between 2010 and 2016, she was a research fellow II/Lecturer II at the Kwara State University, Malete and later joined Kwara State Internal Revenue Service in the year 2016 as a Principal Manager at the Directorate of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), where she headed Property Tax and later got promoted to the grade of Assistant Director to function as head MDAs and also Property Tax from 2017 to 2018.

She was the Head, Internal Audit department between 2018 and 2019 and until her appointment, the Acting Head, Accounts and Finance Directorate.

With the appointment of Mrs Omolara Ojualari as a full director of KW-IRS, she is to serve as Director, Account and Finance Directorate.

She is an indigene of Kwara State, born in Lagos on the 14th of November, 1965 and married.

Olatunji Ahmed Balogun. Before his appointment as a director of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, he was the Executive Director, Business Development, Bolbod Oil and Gas Limited. He is a Chartered Accountant and holds B.Sc., M.Sc. and MBA in Economics and Finance at the Ahmadu Bello University, University of Lagos and University of Ilorin respectively.

Olatunji Balogun has over 20years working experience that cuts across Banking, Financial Consultancy, Audit and Oil and Gas. He had professional courses at Lagos Business School on Advanced Financial Analysis and Valuation Modeling and other courses from recognized consulting firms. He has exceptional focus and follow through abilities with records of efficiency, productivity and in-depth knowledge of banking operations, Service Quality Management, Relationship Management, Credit and Risk Management.

Olatunji Balogun was a Sub- Committee Chairman, Finance of the inauguration of the Executive Governor of Kwara State and equally served on the Committee on the review of Sales of Kwara State government assets.

Mr. Olatunji Balogun is to serve as Director, Admin & Operations Directorate.

He is an indigene of Kwara State, born on the 27th February, 1967 and married.

We wish the newly appointed Directors, successful tenure!

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) wishes to categorically inform our esteemed taxpayers and the general public that the news article published by an online media platform identified as Justeventonline.com yesterday, 4th September 2020, claiming that KW-IRS has commenced enforcement on shops, with reference to demand of N30, 000.00 for Annual Levy Fee and subsequent lock-up of shops of operators of football viewing centers in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital was absolutely erroneous and should be totally disregarded.

It is also important to state clearly that KW-IRS as the sole collecting agent for Kwara State has suspended all forms of enforcement between 1st April and 30th September 2020 due to COVID-19 to allow taxpayers to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

We hereby note that Demand Notices were served on the operators of football viewing centers, just as on prospective taxpayers with arrears to notify them of the amount due as Personal Income Tax for the previous year(s) and not Annual Levy Fee as reported by justeventonline.com; this is subject to objection by taxpayers as provided for by law if there are justifiable grounds and the same Demand Notice could not be enforced at that stage.

Furthermore, payment of Tax is a civic responsibility of every individual who earns an income from salary, commission, fee, etc.

The Service hereby urges our esteemed taxpayers to disregard the news of enforcement or lock up as peddled by the justeventonline.com or by any future publications, until the expiration of the grace period given to taxpayers, 30th September 2020.

Taxpayers and concerned citizens of the State are however advised to walk into any of our offices in Ilorin or at the area offices in all Local Government Areas of the State or use our Communication Channels for genuine information and clarifications about our services at all times.

Signed

Shade Omoniyi

Executive Chairman, KW-IRS.

The Kwara State Internal Revenue (KW-IRS) on Thursday 3rd September 2020, celebrates its traditional “Tax Thursday” in Phase III Office.     

Since the establishment of KW-IRS in 2016, “TAX THURSDAY” remained an appreciable educative avenue where we showcase and sensitize our taxpayers’ and our friendly host community using our branded T-Shirts as an exhibition apparatus and medium for advocating and preaching the importance of tax compliance.

For effective revenue generation, “Tax Thursday” remains a continuous exercise. 

For last Thursday’s episode, here are some of our staff in the Phase III Office located at Irewolede Road, Opposite Tuyil Pharmaceutical Limited exhibiting our branded T-Shirts bearing our watchwords to our esteemed taxpayers.

Play your part, Pay your tax.

Two Staff of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, in the Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) department of MDAs Directorate, stood outstanding in the discharge of their duties by assisting with the recovery of a stolen Toyota Corolla Vehicle.

The Toyota Saloon car was stolen in Lagos State in 2019 and was immediately reported to a Police Station in Ketu area by the owner, Dr. Ayoola Shakirudeen of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State.

In an interaction with the two Motor Licensing Officers (MLOs), who was at the forefront of the discovery of the stolen car, at the KW-IRS Corporate Head Office recently, they narrated that the new buyer, a woman, in an attempt to re-register the car, presented the vehicle documents and while performing due diligence on all papers presented with the details for verification on the computer, it was observed that the car has series of questionable traits and immediately she was informed that she has presented details of a stolen car and would be detained for further interrogation.

The Legal and Compliance Directorate of KW-IRS and the State Investigation Bureau were notified as to the norms for such cases and the woman in the company of two other men suspected to have facilitated the theft were subsequently arrested for possible trials at the court of law.

Both MLO’s also revealed how they have recovered no fewer than four (4) stolen vehicles since they assumed office at the Motor Licensing Office in the last two (2) years.

The Service strongly commends the gesture of these two dutiful Staff and enjoins them, all staff of the Service and the general public to continue to be law-abiding, remain their brothers and sisters’ keepers, and continue to show dedication in serving humanity for a saner society.

The Service also appealed to the general public to protect their properties carefully especially in the public and report any suspicious movement of persons to the nearest police station for swift action.

However, the owner of the stolen car has received custody of his car and extended his unreserved appreciation through a letter addressed to the Executive Chairman, KW-IRS, expressing his confidence in the caliber of staff engaged in the Service and the quality of service provided to the general public as an ISO certified revenue-generating agency.

The owner of the recovered vehicle described the two Officers of KW-IRS as an exemplary staff with a high level of commitment, dedication, and their characters remain worthy of emulation by others.

The Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Shade Omoniyi, held a multiple channel Virtual Field Feedback meeting on the 26th August 2020 with all Staff of the Service across the State. The first of its kind meeting with over Nine Hundred (900) of her staff, since the outbreak of COVID-19, became imperative to discuss and re-address some matters arising from operations of the Service and other general issues concerning activities of the Service and staff.

In her opening remarks during the maiden virtual meeting, the Executive Chairman emphasized that the virtual zoom enhanced meeting, became the best option to meet with all staff and at the same time, comply by the Covid-19 protocol of maintaining social/physical distancing; a safety measure to further curb the spread of corona virus in the State.

The Executive Chairman at the interactive meeting appreciated and reassured staff of her relentless attention and concerns over their welfare and other observations raised from various quarters since she assumed office.

She appealed to staff to share the understanding that the world as a whole is facing unprecedented challenges and setbacks which have also inflicted negative effects on the KW-IRS, following an inevitable downward review of the State’s 2020 fiscal budget. 

She however urged staff to remain steadfast, work assiduously, and as a formidable team to overcome the harsh and ripple effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on both the State and the KW-IRS as a revenue-generating agency.

Staff who contributed during the interactive virtual meeting expressed their expectations, demanding a quick-fix approach, for more achievements to be recorded and also shared sincere appreciation to the Executive Chairman for her consistency in revenue drive in the State since the beginning of the year 2020, despite the unpleasant fallout from the rise of the Pandemic.

The Staff also recounted their unquantifiable joy over the Executive Chairman’s consistency in the payment of salaries as and when due and the reassurance of better days ahead for all Staff, while pledging continuous support to her and the State in full commitment and in the drive towards an enhanced revenue generation and in building an enviable State Internal Revenue Service and Kwara.

In her closing statements, the Executive Chairman noted that she looks forward to a more dedicated work environment, imploring staff to desist from unfounded rumor peddling and being confrontational; instead, staff should be more engaging, seek clarifications on matters and be better informed on every issue while she assures her speedy consideration of all pending issues raised during the virtual meeting especially those bothering on Staff well-being.

The World Bank –State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (WB- SFTAS) Independent Verification Agents (IVA) was on a 5-Day working visit to Kwara State for the Year 2019 Annual Performance Assessment between Monday 17th and Friday 21st August 2020.

The visit of the SFTAS program for Results (PforR) to the State was to evaluate the efficiency of the State’s use of Treasury Single Account (TSA), Cash Management Strategy, Civil Servants Biometric System and the growth of the Internally Generated Revenue, etc.

The 5-Man working team of the Independent Verification Agents (IVA) from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation led by Mr. Victor Inyama were received by the Kwara State Government Steering Committee’s Chairman, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Planning Mrs. Olasumbo Oyeyemi, Committee Deputy Chairman; the Executive Chairman of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Shade Omoniyi in the company of other committee members at the Kwara State Ministry of Finance and Planning Complex.

In his opening speech, the IVA Team lead, Mr. Inyama, explained that parts of the team’s visit to Kwara State was to critically observe the State’s procurement processes, expenditures, transparency, and sustainability of policies which are key criteria in the review processes of the Annual Performances of Nigerian States.

According to the Commissioner for Finance and Planning, Mrs. Olasumbo Oyeyemi, she remarked that the World Bank-SFTAS program is a World Bank program in agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria with the motive of strengthening fiscal transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the Nigerian States; optimistic that Kwara State will accrue more to itself for the year 2019 than it did for 2018,when the sum of 5 Million dollars (N1.8bn) for the 2018 Annual Performance Assessment grants was received, having fulfilled the eligibility criteria.

She further explained that SFTAS program will further provide performance-based grants and technical assistance to States over 4 years from 2018 to 2021 subject to attaining eligibility and satisfying Key Performance Indicators centered on fiscal transparency and accountability.

The 5-Day verification exercise, held at the Ministry of Finance and Planning Conference room, revealed some key conformity as verified during the visit and confirmed by the IVA Team, which were in the State’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), KW-IRS simplified method of revenue collection, Provision of ease of Covid-19 burdens on taxpayers, Financial statement publicity, Identification of State’s financial sources, Strategic elimination of ghost workers, Timely publication of proposed and amended budget for the year 2019, etc.

Mr. Inyama commended the Kwara State Steering Committee for providing an easy platform for the successful verification exercise, adding that, all data gathered during the exercise are genuine.He noted that there will always be room for improvement.

The Executive Chairman of KW-IRS,who doubles as Committee Deputy Chairman, Shade Omoniyi, in her closing remarks, commended the IVA team for a fair and rigorous verification exercise. She assured that the KW-IRS as an ISO Certified revenue-generating agency is not only concerned about collecting money from taxpayers but also to ensure taxpayers get good treatment and value for taxes being paid.

She noted that at the completion of findings and presentation of recommendations to (WB- SFTAS), all sectors in the State are bound to improve more in terms of their processes and a more accountable government will be obtainable as a way of display of advancement.    

The Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Shade Omoniyi has commended the efforts of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in building required skills for Community Development across the State.

Speaking at a One-Day Workshop held on the 25th, August 2020 at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Shade Omoniyi remarked that, the KW-IRS as a revenue-generating agency remains an advocate of continuous and impactful Community Development Programmes at all levels in the State, with much attention dedicated to the grassroots where means of livelihood are perceived unfavorable.

She pointed out that, the reason for the slight decline in the Service’s Community Impact Program (CIP) for the year 2020 was as a result of the reviewed budget of the State for the year 2020; occasioned by the biting Covid-19 pandemic, promising continuous support in Community Intervention and optimistic that the Service should be able to execute more CIP next year when Covid-19 would have subsided.

According to the convener of the workshop, the Senior Special Assistant on Community Intervention, Hon. Kayode Oyin-Zubair, he described the workshop as an enlightenment activity that is expected to be applied in various communities for purposeful and continuous human capital enhancement at all levels of the State.

He extends appreciation to the Executive Chairman, KW-IRS for her outstanding leadership quality and efforts in revenue administration in the State, adding that the support given by the Service towards the success of the workshop cannot be over-emphasized.

Earlier, in his separate welcome address, the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Aliyu Muhammed applauded Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his unrelenting support and determination in making the skill acquisition and development program a reality in the State; challenging the Community Development Officers to embrace the new challenges and opportunities of the workshop and ensure its application in their respective communities.

The Director, Center for Community Development, Kwara State University, Malete Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, who was one of the  Guest Speakers, also emphasized the importance of the Community Development Officers to their various Communities, describing them as essential change agents for the State.

In its continued efforts to collaborating in the development of educational sector in the State and also create a symbiotic relationship between the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) and the Kwara State Library, the Service donated numbers of Tax Related books and materials to the State Library on the 11th August 2020 for Researchers who might be interested in activities of the Service.

According to the Acting Head, Corporate Affairs Department, Titilayomi Ogunwale who presented the items to the Deputy Director of the State Library at the Complex on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Shade Omoniyi said, the gesture is to impact the institution by a way of fortifying it with valuable Tax-related information, assuring the Library of the Service’s unrelenting supports to every institution of government in the State.
The Deputy Director of Kwara State Library, Mohammed Iliyasu extends his appreciation to the Service for the gesture and promised cooperation of the Library towards making Kwara State an enviable place for all.

The Deputy Director of Kwara State Library, Mohammed Iliyasu extends his appreciation to the Service for the gesture and promised cooperation of the Library towards making Kwara State an enviable place for all.

• You’ve our support, say Ulamah Council, CAN, others
• Restates ban on concerts

Kwara State Government on Friday announced the cancellation of Eid-ul-adha congregational prayers across the state, citing the steep rise in the state’s Covid-19 cases and the danger of such a large gathering worsening the situation.

The government also announced a ban on vigils in churches and mosques while restating the ban on concert, clubbing, beer parlour, and bar in hotels.

Kayode Alabi, Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19, told a news briefing in Ilorin, the capital city, that the decision to cancel the Eid prayers was a painful but necessary one to save lives.

He said the government is setting up a task force to enforce all the new directives, including new guidelines on transport unions and market associations.

The Kwara State shopping mall (Shoprite), the Amusement Park, markets, and University of Ilorin Zoological Garden are to close down on Eid Day and the day after Eid, according to the Deputy Governor.

The briefing was attended by cabinet members; police commissioner Kayode Egbetokun; State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp Bello Ale; representatives of the Council of Ulamah the Imam Imale of Ilorin Sheikh Abdullah AbdulHameed and Justice Salihu Muhammed; representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (Kwara) Pastor Moses Popoola; leader of the state transport union AbdulRazaq Ariwoola; representatives of the bankers’ committee led by Victor Inyang; and representatives of the market associations in the state, among others.

The Imam Imale re-echoed the worries of the state government and called on the people to abide by the directives on Eid and other decisions that had been taken following consultations with various stakeholders, including the Council of Ulamah.

“The government has our full support accordingly and we urge our people to abide by the directives,” Sheikh AbdulHameed said.

Pastor Popoola, for his part, expressed the support of the CAN for the government’s directives, including the one on vigil, adding that those decisions had been taken to save human lives.

Egbetokun said the security agencies would enforce the directives, urging residents of the state to comply.

“It is really not about arrest. This is about human lives. All of us have a role to play in enforcing the directives and combat this pandemic. I want to state however that we will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute violators,” he said.

The below is the full text of the address:

In the past few days, the Kwara State Government has held meetings with different stakeholders in the state on the way forward in our collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The engagements, which are a continuation of what we were always doing, were necessitated by the spike in COVID-19 cases in the state and of course the upcoming Ileya festival which is a special period for our people. As it stands today, Kwara has 707 confirmed cases, out of which 449 are active. We have successfully managed and discharged 244 patients to rejoin their families. And just yesterday, we lost another patient. That brings to 15 the number of casualties from the pandemic in our state. May God rest the souls of the departed ones and comfort their families.

1. Ladies and gentlemen, the last few days have seen an unprecedented jump in the number of our cases. Between 9th of July 2020 and yesterday July 23rd, we recorded 56% of our total confirmed cases! Increasing number of our patients now require intensive care to survive. This points to a grim situation that requires drastic measure. For this reason, the government has consulted widely with religious, labour, transport workers, and market leaders, and has taken the following measures in the overall interest of the people that we lead:

A. Because of the huge numbers that are expected to gather for the special Eid prayers and the possibility of such gatherings leading to spike in our cases and potential deaths, the government, in consultation with the Council of Ulamah under His Royal Highness the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, hereby cancels congregational Eid prayers for 2020 across the whole state. This is a tough decision but it was made in the interest of all of us.

B. There will be Friday prayers as have been restored but in strict compliance with the rules of physical distancing and the use of face mask

C. The Kwara Mall (ShopRite), the Amusement Park, all shops and markets are to be shut on the Eid Day and the day after it. The Unilorin Zoological Garden should also be closed for those two days.

D. Following consultation with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the government hereby announces the suspension of vigils until further notice. Church services should also not exceed 2 hours with full compliance with the safety measures in place.

E. The ban on concerts, clubbing, beer parlours and bars, and related activities remains in full force.

F. Guests at any wedding programme or reception must not exceed 50 (persons) at one time.

G. Following consultations with the leadership of the transport unions, government hereby directs that Okada riders can only carry one person at one time. Taxi or cab drivers are to carry one person in front and maximum of two at the back at any particular time. The drivers and the passengers must wear their face mask appropriately. Defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted, and, on conviction, be punished.

H. The government has equally agreed with the leadership of markets in the state that it is an offence for any marketer or business owner to not wear face masks appropriately or transact business with anyone who does not wear face masks appropriately. Each market or business concern is to provide sanitisers and hand washing bay at the entrance of their markets/offices. The government repeats however that markets are to be shut on the day of Eid and the day after it for safety reasons.

I. A government’s task force will be on ground to enforce these rules as well as the compulsory use of face mask which incidentally becomes operational on the Eid Day July 31st, 2020.

J. Mobile courts will be on ground to try any offenders after which convicts would face appropriate sanctions to be determined by the court.

K. The government wishes everyone a blessed Eid-ul-Kabir in advance, and urges total compliance with the safety protocols that have been spelt out above. On behalf of His Excellency the Governor of Kwara State AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, we appreciate and commend all our frontline workers for their priceless commitment to save lives at this time of global health emergency. We are grateful to our religious, community, and labour leaders. We commend our security agencies for their wonderful job and we urge for more support. Thank you and God bless you.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor/
Spokesman, Kwara State Technical Committee
July 24th, 2020

Following the outbreak of Coronavirus Pandemic across the world and the official announcement of the first case in Nigeria on the 27th of February, 2020, and subsequent spike in number of active cases, which necessitated a shutdown pronouncement by the Kwara State Government in line with the Federal Government directive on the 23rd of March, 2020, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, implemented the following measures to safeguard the lives of its Staff, ease the burden on taxpayers, and ensure business continuity in line with best practices as an ISO Certified organization:

1. Donation of palliatives to Informal Sector Tax payers to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on their businesses in April and June, 2020.
2. A further extension of the deadline for filing Annual Returns from 31st of March to 30th of September, 2020.
3. 30% discount/waiver on arrears on ground rent and land charge for property owners and land occupiers, if they pay between 1st April and 30th September, 2020.
4. Granting of a moratorium (‘Grace Period’ during which Personal Income Tax collection is suspended) to informal sector taxpayers to enable them to recover from the financial stress caused by COVID-19 from 1st May 2020 to 30th June, 2020.
5. Suspension of all enforcement activities on tax defaulters in Informal Sector, Educational Sector, Hospitality Sector, Low-Income Earners, and Property owners from 1st April to 30th of September, 2020.
6. Waiver of interest and penalty for High Net worth Individuals (HNIs) and Corporate Organizations that pay up their tax arrears between 1st June 2020 and 30th of September, 2020.
7. Implementation of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the process of tax recovery under the guidance of Covid-19 safety measures.
8. Deployment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Nose masks, face shields and hand sanitizers to taxpayers and staff.
9. Introduction of Virtual meetings for the KW-IRS Management Team and different Committees.
10. Reduction in the workforce by a way of duty schedule to allow for compliance to physical distancing in our offices.
11. Deployment of temperature monitors, wash hand basins with running water and soap and hand sanitizers across our offices.
12. Encouragement of taxpayers to make payments to the Kwara State IGR Accounts via PAYDIRECT at any of the local commercial banks.

These measures are in response to the reality that the entire world is going through a tough time and there is need for everyone to adjust to this new situation and abide by all the safety guidelines as provided by the State Government.

For further enquiry and assistance as it relates to Revenue payments, taxpayers can reach the KW-IRS through any of the following means:
Telephone: 07006959477, Email: Info@kw-irs.com, Website: www.kw-irs.com
Facebook: KwaraIRS Twitter: @KwaraIrs Instagram:@kwirs

Signed:
Shade Omoniyi
Executive Chairman

*Gov sends budget to House

*Cabinet mourns late CoS

 Kwara State Government Executive Council has approved the slashing of the 2020 budget to N114, 791,853,968, a 29.4% decrease from the approved budget of N162,487,666,170 — a fallout of dwindling revenue arising from COVID-19 pandemic and steep global economic slowdown. At a virtual meeting presided over by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the cabinet approved the presentation of the revised appropriation bill 2020 to the Kwara State House of Assembly. 
The Governor has forwarded the document to the House on Thursday.  The cabinet meeting was heralded by a one-minute silence and prayer for the late Chief of Staff to the Governor Aminu Adisa Logun.  The budget prioritises completion of ongoing capital projects and first-line charges such as payment of salary, gratuities and pension, and social spendings targeted at curbing abject poverty.  The new budget allocated N46.9bn to capital expenditure, down from the N89.4bn in the approved one, while N67.8bn would be spent on recurrent expenditure, down from N73bn in the appropriation law.  The proposal adjusted revenue to the state to N104bn, down from the N150.2bn in the approved budget. Sectoral breakdown showed a huge allocation of N22.9bn to health (as against N27.7bn in the approved budget); N23.6bn to education, down from N33.8bn in the approved budget, N6.6bn to Works, down from N17.2bn in the approved budget; and N2.3bn to agriculture, down from the initial N3.3bn. Sources of financing of the revised budget included federal allocation of N46.1bn; internally generated revenue of N25.9bn; opening balance of N7.4bn; N6.9bn anticipated  receipts for the various inherited World Bank programmes in the state such as Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO), Community and Social Development Project(CSDP), Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), and Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN), etc; and the domestic short-term loan of N1.8bn (UBEC counterpart funds). The financial estimate was predicated on zero-based budgeting approach system and the macro-fiscal assumptions in the addendum to the Federal Government MTEF 2020, including $25 oil price as against the pre-pandemic $57 (56.1% decrease), oil production estimate of 1.9m barrel per day as against 2.18million barrel per day (12.8% reduction), average exchange rate of N360 as against 305, and inflation rate of 14.13% as opposed to the 10.81 earlier predicted. In her presentation of the reviewed budget at the cabinet meeting, Commissioner for Finance and Planning Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence listed the objectives of the budget to include aggressive mobilisation of resources to contain the pandemic and save lives through provision of critical infrastructure in health, education, water supply and sanitation as well as social development and protection. The budget would also reallocate resources from administrative capital to investment capital on economic driven activities to create employment opportunities in agriculture, industries, small and medium scale enterprises, infrastructure in energy, ICT development and rural road development. 

Harriet Afolabi-Oshatimehin

Hon Commissioner for Communication 

July 23rd, 2020.

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service generated a total sum of  N9,386,814,570.59 (Nine Billion, Three Hundred and Eighty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Fourteen Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy Naira and Fifty-Nine Kobo)Only as revenue in half-year of 2020.

Breakdown of revenue generated from January to June 2020 is presented below:

The First Quarter (January-March 2020) of the year started on a positive note, with a total of N7, 231,713,024.37. The month of March 2020 recorded the highest revenue generated for the quarter with the sum of N2, 676,906,613.84. 

 The revenue generation in the Second Quarter experienced a dwindling shift as a result of the global Pandemic which forestalled business activities across the State. Several employers focused more on payment of salaries to their staff and not on remittance of PAYE and other statutory deductions.

Hajj collection was closed due to the current global situation, the Informal sector also suffered some setback as markets were not operational during the period. Similarly, the revenue recorded from schools in the second quarter dropped drastically due to closure of schools.

The highest revenue recorded in the Second Quarter was in June 2020, with the sum of N945, 187,700.95, after gradual ease of the lockdown, as businesses started to improve in operating capacity.

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service during this period also reduced the level of enforcement on defaulting taxpayers to allow them recover from the financial meltdown experienced as a result of the Pandemic. A few measures taken by the Service to cushion the effect of Covid-19 amongst many others include; granting of a 30% waiver on arrears on Land Charge and Ground Rent for property owners till the 30^th of September, 2020, extension of the Deadline for Filing Annual Returns from 31st of March, 2020 to May 31st, 2020 and a further extension to 30th of September, 2020.

There was further relief from the Service to taxpayers such as the suspension of all forms of Enforcement on the Informal Sector, Educational Sector, Hospitality Sector, Low-Income Earners, Property Owners and a waiver of interest and penalties to the High Networth Individuals and Corporate Organizations who pay up their arrears by 30th of September, 2020.

Distribution of palliatives to the Informal Sector as a form of support during the period and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as Nose Masks and Face Shields to taxpayers across the State.

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) will continue to ensure optimal drive and delivery on her vision and mission and make the State economically viable and stable.