KWIRS strengthens collaboration with Water Resources ministry to improve IGR
The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) has strengthened collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources to enhance revenue and bolster economic drive in the state.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, made this known on Tuesday during a meeting with representatives from KWIRS in his office.
According to him, collaboration has become necessary to increase revenue generation in the water sector.
He said, “KWIRS has been supportive of the Ministry in its efforts to ensure adequate water supply across the state.”
The Commissioner described this as a testament to the upliftment of the Ministry with the donation of a water billing system to the State Water Corporation and emphasised that the Ministry had embarked on rehabilitation of some waterworks recently to ensure the distribution of potable water to the nooks and crannies of the state.
He added that Oyun Waterworks, which is currently undergoing rehabilitation, will enable adequate water supply to Offa, Ijagbo, Ajase-Ipo, Omupo and other parts of Kwara South when completed, while the ongoing rehabilitation of Sobi Waterworks will also address the challenge of water supply in some parts of Kwara Central.
The Commissioner commended the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his commitment towards adequate water supply in the state as well as his support to the construction and rehabilitation of Waterworks embarked upon by the Ministry, assuring that the Ministry will liaise with the State Revenue Service to boost revenue generation in various parts of the state, especially, in the areas where people enjoy water distribution such as high profile public and private establishments.
In her remarks, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Christianah Omolola Asonibare, emphasised that the Ministry is working round the clock to address all challenges relating to water production and distribution across the state.
Also, the Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply, Hajia Maryam Ishola, appealed for logistics support and staff capacity building to enhance efficient service delivery.
The Director, Water Engineering Services, Engr. Yusuf Wopa reassured the revenue team that the Ministry will continue to address all technical and operational challenges hindering the adequate water supply.
The Director of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Dr Omotayo Ayinla, who led the representatives, appealed to the Ministry to increase water distribution and alum for the water treatment to bridge the revenue gap.
Dr Ayinla stressed that payment and collection of water rates, especially from high-profile industries and institutions, will boost revenue generation in the state while appealing to the Ministry to provide timely data on water distributions and destinations to help further guide KWIRS on revenue collection.
