The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service,(KW-IRS),in its continuous effort to drive tax compliance in the State, held a meeting with the leadership of the Associations of Transport in Kwara State on 9th June, 2021.
Representing the Executive Chairman, KW-IRS, Shade Omoniyi, at the meeting was the Head, Informal sector, Maimunat Amasa.
Amasa informed the gathering that the meeting was to discuss reasons for the drop in collection in the sector.
She further explained that the service introduced the ticketing model in September 2020 for ease of collection in the sector, adding that, the objective of the process is yet to be achieved, and with the downward trend in collection in the last couple of months, there is need for review by both parties, for possible resolution.
In his response to issues raised,the Chairman, National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO),Alhaji Abdulrauf Atoyebi,reiterated the commitment of the union to tax compliance and an improved revenue for the State; he however bemoaned the effects of the economy on transport workers.
He further clarified that many vehicle owners are finding it difficult to maintain their vehicles as a result of the increase in prices of spare parts in particular. ‘Many owners have now put their vehicles out for sale because it can no longer pay their bills’, he lamented.
Speaking further on the decline in collections from the sector,the Secretary,Nigerian Association of Co-operative Transporters Limited (NACT), Gidado Yusuf Jimoh, stated that the drop in collection is owing to many commuters’ preference to taking okada and tricycles to taxis. ‘Okada and Keke have taken over our jobs, take a tour around Ilorin and environs and see for yourself the number of taxis plying the roads, other businesses have increase their prices, but taxi drivers cannot increase fares, branches with over 200 vehicles last year cannot boast of 50 today, our members are suffering’ he lamented.
The vice chairman, Nigerian Association of Co-operative Transporters Limited (NACT), Ganiyu Hussein,added that the association will amidst all the aforementioned challenges take bold step in encouraging their members to complying with remittance of appropriate taxes and as and when due. He however seeks more support of the government and other stakeholders to the transport workers in the State,by coming up with initiatives that could be beneficial to members in the transport sector.
The Head, Informal Sector, KW-IRS,Maimunat Amasa,thanked the 6-man delegation for their time,adding that their challenges are noted,while encouraging more robust cooperation and collaboration from the team towards jointly developing the State.
The meeting had in attendance,other leaders of the transport associations in the State, Head, Artisan unit, KW-IRS, Aduke Robbinson and some staff of Informal Sector, KW-IRS.
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