Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), a Kwara-based Civil Society Organisation, has lauded the Kwara State Government on its improved reform that led to an increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the state.

ENetSuD said in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Dr. Alagbonsi Abdullateef, and issued on Thursday in Ilorin, the state capital: “IGR of Kwara State has commendably improved in recent times, which had greatly contributed to the total revenue of the state and has been sustaining it, especially at the period of dwindling FAAC allocation. Year-by-year analysis of the Total revenue of Kwara State since 2012 showed a significant decline since 2015, which could be related to the dwindling FAAC allocation caused by recession and oil price.

“Interestingly, FAAC has been gradually increasing since 2016 (though below pre-recession periods like 2013 and 2014), and there is a possibility that the total revenue at the end of 2018 will equate or even surpass that of 2013, considering the fact that the monthly net FAAC to Kwara State has averagely remained around 3.5 billion since December 2017.”

While commending the Administration of Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed on the effective taxation system towards boosting the revenue base of the state, ENetSuD also encouraged the state inland revenue service, KW-IRS, to improve its citizens-friendly tax mechanism.

“We are of the conviction that Kwarans will voluntarily continue to cooperate with Government on payment of taxes if the State Infrastructural Development commensurate with the taxes that are being paid. We therefore urge the KWSG to provide value for the tax-payers money,” the group said.

According to it, “Many aspects of the economy in the state, including Education, Health, Road infrastructure, Environment, etc, need urgent attention of KWSG. For instance, we have repeatedly called the attention of KWSG to the pitiable condition of school infrastructure across the state. Many of the school buildings are dilapidated, and need urgent attention of the government. On health, the creation of State Health Insurance Scheme, and the commitment of 1% of the State Annual Consolidated Revenue Fund to the Scheme is commendable. However, the sector needs improvement in terms of manpower and facilities. The uncountable numbers of bad roads in the state also need the quick intervention of the government within the limit of the available resources.”