Igbo traders hail stakeholders’s intervention, say no rift with KWIRS

By Mosunmola Ayobami in Ilorin 

The Igbo Community General Assembly, the parent body of the Igbo Traders Association in Kwara State, has applauded the Chief of Staff, Mahe AbdulKadir and the Senior Adviser/Counsellor to Kwara State governor, Saadudeen Salaudeen, for their mature handling of the impasse between the Igbo traders and Kwara Internal Revenue Agency ( KWIRS).

The union made the commendation in a statement signed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s Special Assistant, Community Relations (Igbo),  Igwebuike Angus, Esq.

The statement reads: The Igbo Community General Assembly – the parent body of Igbo Traders Association extends this warmth and gratitude to the duo of the Chief of Staff and Adviser/Councilor to H/E, Alhaji Aliyu Mahe Abdulkadir and Alhaji Saadudeen Salaudeen for their proactive and matured handling of the seeming impasse between KW-IRS and Igbo traders. 

“Assuredly, the dexterity and unassuming charisma you both displayed while interfacing with the parties did assert the right narrative. We’re eternally grateful and will continue to contribute our quota towards the development of our dear state. 

“Our resolution to both partner, support, and identify with developmental strides of the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is unwavering. The concerted efforts of the government to move Kwara State from a civil service state to a nerve of commerce and industries is our delight as Chief drivers. “

Angus added that the Igbo in Kwara state are law-abiding and would not want to be dragged into any unnecessary feud with any government agency, more so, not with a government with which they enjoy a robust, healthy relationship.

“For us, the payment of taxes is a mandatory obligation that must be discharged and we can’t say ought against same. The record speaks for itself that the Kwara State Government once gave this community an award as the “Most Responsive Association” in Kwara state about tax remittances. On this, we can only say, “We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. 

“We want the general public to note that what happened on the 1st day of March 2024, which some self-serving actor(s) wants to blow out of proportion, is just one of those negotiations typical in any business environment. At no point in time did Igbos withdraw or withhold their services cum businesses in town.

“It will interest the naysayers to note that as a community given to trade & commerce, the concerted efforts of H/E, Mallam AbdulRazaq AbdulRahaman to move Kwara State from a civil service state to a nerve of trade, commerce and industries, is our uttermost crave as drivers of this industry. 

” Finally, we wish to reassure our host community, our friends and our allies that the progress of Kwara is our progress, and we can’t but contribute our respective quotas. The developmental strides of His Excellency are our pride as a progressive community. We shall not flag down on our commitments,” he concluded.