The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has suggested 15 to 20 years jail term for anybody  caught in the web of stealing tax funds.

Governor Ahmed made the suggestion yesterday when the Management of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

The governor who described effective taxation as a panacea  to sustainable development, said the earlier government goes tough about the theft of tax money, the better for the country.

Ahmed explained further that the punishment would serve as deterrent to those who might want to be feeding fat using taxpayers money as a platform.

He therefore advised those who are custodians of the tax funds to be prudent in the management of the funds  so as to enable government use the fund for the purpose it was collected.

The governor decried people's attitude towards tax compliance, saying that effective and regular tax payment begets rapid socio-economic development of the society.

Earlier in his courtesy address, the President and Chairman of the Council (CITN) Mr MAC Anthony Dike described effective taxation as a necessary ingredient for efficiency and delivery of good governance, adding that taxation and government are two inseparable entities.

Mr Dike pleaded with the state government to grant autonomy to the state Board of Internal Revenue to enable it perform its statutory functions more effectively and efficiently.

The President of the Council also commended the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for evolving programmes and policies that have direct positive impact on the lives of kwarans.