The Kwara State Government on Monday charged its citizens on the need for prompt payment of their taxes, to enable the state to have a stronger financial base.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed gave the charge while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin. He said that payment of taxes was important to ensure the execution of more meaningful projects that were pivotal to the welfare of the people.

The challenges of the global economic downturn today call for a sober reflection, hence the justification for the establishment of the new, independent revenue generating agency: the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS).

KWIRS was established to champion the new tax regime to drive the economic policies of the state government. I, therefore, enjoin all state Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as individuals, private establishments and Federal Agencies, to cooperate with the revenue agency.

This is to enable it fulfil its mandate and more importantly, save various ongoing projects from being abandoned. Leadership is all about service and service is all about meeting people's needs, which we are determined to achieve.

There is no doubt that with a strong financial base, it becomes easier for our government to diversify the economy and embark on meaningful developmental projects as a give-back to the people.

You are, therefore, requested to play your role by paying your taxes." Gov. Ahmed said that the government was compelled to establish the KWIRS as a way of increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The economic downturn has compelled states of the federation to innovate and KWIRS is our innovation. States are being gingered to look inwards for positive alternatives to secure sustainable ways of increasing IGR and harnessing growth potentials by expanding various revenue bases to complement allocation from the federation account."