TOWARDS A QUALITY AIR AND REVENUE MOBILIZATION, NESREA PAYS WORKING VISIT TO KW-IRS

The Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Shade Omoniyi, received in audience a 7-man team from the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), led by its General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Aliyu Jauro, on April 1, 2022, at the corporate head office of KW-IRS.

The working visit was to seek the collaboration of the State in ensuring a quality air,through the implementation of the National Vehicular Emission Control Programme (NVECP) and to also put in place regulations that ensure control of all emissions to aid a cleaner and healthier environment for every citizen.

In his submission, the Director-General, NESREA, Professor Aliyu Jauro reiterated that environmental matters are the mandate of the agency and efforts are being geared towards giving a better understanding to States of the federation on the implementation of regulations and enforcement of the nation’s environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to machines emission harmful to human lives and the environment.

The Director-General stated that the agency plans to establish as many Vehicle Emission Testing Centres as possible across the State to allow motorists get their cars tested at ease.

“The programme of the establishment of vehicle testing centres across the States of the federation, will not only create a safe health for citizens, but will also create jobs for members of the State,” said Professor Jauro.

The Director-General added that other benefits of the programme are a uniform standard of operation and acceptability of test results across the country, easy accessibility to vehicle testing centres and data gathering which would be beneficial to the State and Federal governments. He stated that the programme is to be flagged off as soon as talks on it are concluded at the Joint Tax Board and Governors’ Forum levels.

Giving her response, the Executive Chairman, KW-IRS, Shade Omoniyi emphasized the need for harmonization of the activities with the State and Federal Ministry of Environment and other agencies of government involved in vehicle inspection and health matters.

Shade Omoniyi pledged the cooperation of the Service with the initiative and encouraged accessibility and usability of data gathered through the programme for appropriate decision making of the State.

While encouraging proper certification of personnel to be involved in the programme, the KW-IRS Executive Chairman advised consideration of integration of the programme into the existing process of issuance of the certificate of roadworthiness at the Motor Licensing Authorities to make it less cumbersome and seamless for vehicle owners. She added that the establishment of testing centres be considered located at fuel filling stations, motor garages and all accredited mechanic workshops to ease accessibility and drive compliance.

The meeting had in attendance the top management and staff of KW-IRS, Director, Admin and Operation, Olatunji Balogun, Director, Legal and Compliance, Shehu Mogaji Abdullahi, Head of Departments of Ministries, Parastatals and Corporate Affairs.

Signed
Corporate Affairs Department, KW-IRS
02/04/2022