Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers ?has said that the?monthly revenue?of the state government has dropped from?N18 billion to N13 billion in spite of ?an increase in?expenditure.
The governor made the statement in Port Harcourt on Saturday at the Federated Correspondent Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Forum.
Amaechi said the state would employ?13,000 teachers which?would further increase the state's monthly wage bill.
He said the government would soon embark on intensive revenue drive by going from house to house to collect taxes from the people.
Amaechi said??government would be better off if it could receive the N18 billion monthly and urged the residents to pay for services rendered them.
The governor warned that?tax defaulters would be arrested and urged the people to?pay for what?they enjoyed.
Amaechi said?government had built and equipped 180 health centres across the state and constructed many roads and schools.
“People are?not fair in the assessment of?this administration,''?he said, adding that ?“only God can solve all human problems. “.
Amaechi said that the first two phases of the Monorail project would be completed in 2014 and when completed it would?transport 40,000 passengers daily.
The governor promised that he?would continue to demolish the waterfronts in Port Harcourt and environs as?they had become the?hideouts of criminals.
He said the?inhabitants invited the government to demolish Abuloma waterfront as the criminals had been?threatening their wives and children with guns.
He said before the demolition,?government had paid compensation to the inhabitants and decried?the criticism of Amnesty International for demolishing the property of the people without compensation. (NAN)