Traders welcome new Kwara IGR policy

Businessmen and traders in Kwara State have expressed optimism that the new Internally Generated Revenue policy recently approved by the state government would address double taxation in the state. They said before now, they have always been finding it difficult to pay taxes to both local governments and state Revenue Collectors.

It would be recalled that the state government recently approved new IGR policy to accelerate economic transformation and infrastructural development of the state through Public, Private Partnership. Speaking with Pilot Business at the weekend, Mr. Azubuike Chinedu, who sells Gas cooker and electronics along Taiwo road in Ilorin, described the move as not only good for the government but for traders as well. According to him, over the years, we have always been paying our taxes to both state and local government agents. Recently local and state government officers came to my shop at different times seeking for sign-post funds, which makes you confused. Sometimes, they will come up with different policies and mandate it on us. Since we are left with no option we have to abide and pay. Also speaking, Alhaji Babatunde Owolabi who sells building materials along the same road expressed his happiness that the law would once and for all put a stop to double taxation they are being subjected to in the state. In the same vein, Mr Uche Nnamdi noted that the policy would assist them greatly since they would be paying their taxes in the banks only to show the collectors their tellers whenever they come around. Reacting to the development, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Amidu Dare Yusuf confirmed that the new IGR policy has clarified the limitations surrounding both state and local government councils. According to him, though there are demarcation between state tax and local governments tax but some people are ignorant of it .