We will block all financial leakages to ensure even development, says Wike
The Rivers State governor, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has stated that his administration would block all avenues of financial leakages in the state to enable it take developmental projects to all the nooks and crannies of the state.
Speaking during a meeting with private medical proprietors at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday, the governor explained that if 50 percent of the state’s revenues were collected through the right channels and processes, the State would develop faster.
The governor regretted that there were cases of multiple taxes and levies which were not remitted to the state government coffers, as agents allegedly connived with some government officials to divert generated revenue.
The governor said that all revenues would be streamlined, with tax payers required to pay into a single account that would be easy to monitor.
He directed the private hospital owners not to pay the multiple levies, pending the conclusion of the streamlining of the taxes to be collected, but stated that Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes should still be paid.
Governor Wike said that he was determined to make his impact across the state, pointing out that he would not allow the leakage of scarce resources in the state as that was detrimental to the development of the state.
In his response, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigerian Private Doctors, Dr. Henry Sota commended Governor Wike for always consulting with the private doctors on key issues affecting the state.
Dr. Sota thanked the governor for the Private Hospitals Loan Scheme he introduced to help the private doctors improve their health facilities for the benefit of all.
