*Says Agency’ll not be deterred by antics of mischief makers
By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Management of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) has decried the antics of some unscrupulous people to rubbish the good works of the Agency for their selfish gains, adding that a report by an online medium alleging mismanagement of funds is total falsehood, fabricated and an exercise in futility.
The Management added that contrary to what obtained in the past, the Agency in the current dispensation does not control its spending nor does it handle any funds anymore as it is now subjected to strict fiscal discipline and monitoring at higher levels.
A statement by the Agency’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Titilayomi Ogunwale, said: “What keeps the Agency above the malicious intent and envy of these unscrupulous people is our professionalism, transparency, and the huge gains so far made in raising the bar in revenue generation and good ethics.
“A report in an online medium purporting some imaginary mismanagement of any funds is an exercise in futility. Unlike in the previous regime, KW-IRS is today subject to strict fiscal discipline and monitoring at higher levels. It does not control its spending nor does it handle any funds anymore. This is an improvement in prudence, transparency and accountability.
“While the Service still lawfully engages consultancy firms like all revenue agencies in the world, the management is proud to have ended the era of bogus and often-opaque consultancy fees of the past. Within the past three years alone, the KW-IRS has saved taxpayers a humongous N3.9b in what could have gone to consultancies of all kinds if the former platforms had been retained.
“The savings from what was paid as consultancy before are now ploughed back to the public treasury for investment and development projects. It is this transparency and patriotic act of the present Management that are being twisted by the detractors who are not used to such culture.
“The Executive Chairman and Management Team of KW-IRS have made corporate governance and due diligence their watchwords, and will continue to enforce the doctrine to the letter in public interest. This possibly explains the relentless attacks on the government and KW-IRS. We are not deterred.
“The Service is aware of the vast network of conspiracies to sully its image through propaganda and false equivalence as political campaigns begin. However, we shall remain true to our commitments to raise the bar in our service to the people of Kwara State without compromising the law or our ethics. We will not succumb to lies and blackmail of any kind.”
The Management has therefore implored embers of the public to ignore the falsehoods and join hands with the Agency to build a more prosperous Kwara by continuing to play their lawful part of tax payment as and when due to support the developmental agenda of the government.