Delta @ 35: CDHR Challenges Oborevwori to Deliver Economic Opportunities, Not Sugar-Coated Politics

By Tessy Ogbemi

As Delta State marks 35 years of creation, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Delta State Branch, has challenged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to move beyond political rhetoric and ceremonial achievements and deliver real economic opportunities, sustainable jobs and tangible improvements in the lives of Deltans.

The rights group said the anniversary should be a period of sober reflection on the state’s development trajectory, rather than another occasion for political praise-singing and celebration of achievements that, in its view, have not sufficiently translated into prosperity for the ordinary citizen.

In a strongly worded anniversary message made available to news men on thursday in Warri, Delta State, CDHR said, Deltans enormous oil and gas wealth and strategic economic position should have placed the state on a much higher development pedestal after 35 years.

“Delta at 35 must be a moment of truth, not another season of rhetoric,” the organisation declared, insisting that the real measure of governance should be what citizens can feel in their homes, businesses and communities.

The group questioned the development pattern adopted by successive administrations since the return to democratic rule in 1999, arguing that despite massive public expenditure on politics, recurrent activities, empowerment schemes and infrastructure, Delta has yet to fully develop a productive economy capable of generating wealth on a sustainable basis.

CDHR also raised concerns over abandoned, delayed or underperforming projects and persistent allegations of financial mismanagement and weak oversight, calling for stronger accountability in the management of public resources.

The organisation, however, acknowledged what it described as notable strides by the Oborevwori administration in road construction and flyover projects across strategic locations, including major projects involving Julius Berger.

But CDHR cautioned that roads alone cannot constitute development.

“After 35 years, Delta must move beyond the politics of roads and empowerment. The state needs an economic revolution that will turn its resources into industries, jobs and sustainable prosperity.”

The group said the state’s revenue base gives the government an opportunity to pursue a more ambitious economic transformation agenda capable of reducing dependence on oil and creating productive opportunities for the growing youth population.

CDHR consequently challenged Governor Oborevwori to establish a Delta State Industrialization Team made up of professionals, investors, economists, development experts and other relevant stakeholders.

The team, it said, should develop a clear industrialization blueprint capable of attracting investment, establishing industries and creating large-scale employment.

According to the group, Delta must deliberately build an economy where young people can earn sustainable incomes instead of depending primarily on government appointments, political patronage and periodic empowerment programmes.

CDHR also called for deliberate infrastructural strategies to connect Delta’s riverine communities to mainland.

It said communities, farms, markets, industrial clusters and coastal economic corridors must be integrated through purposeful transport and infrastructure networks to unlock the state’s full commercial potential.

The rights group further placed the revival of Delta’s ports at the centre of its economic development demands.

It urged Governor Oborevwori to intensify engagement with the Federal Government over the rehabilitation and commercial activation of Warri, Koko, Sapele and Forcados ports.

CDHR argued that functional ports would strengthen Delta’s position as a major commercial gateway to the South-South and South-East, with potential access to major markets in Onitsha, Nnewi, Owerri and Aba.

According to the group, the activation of the ports could attract investment, expand trade, increase government revenue and generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Beyond infrastructure, CDHR said the Oborevwori administration must make human capital development and household prosperity central to its development agenda.

The group said the ultimate test of governance is not the number of roads commissioned, projects inaugurated or political appointments made, but whether ordinary citizens can afford food, healthcare, education and other basic necessities.

It therefore called for stronger support for agriculture, manufacturing and small and medium-scale enterprises, alongside policies capable of expanding employment and improving the purchasing power of residents.

CDHR said the 35th anniversary presents Governor Oborevwori with an opportunity to shift the state from conventional governance to economic transformation and people-centred development.

The organisation urged the governor to use the remaining years of his administration to pursue bold economic reforms that would leave a lasting legacy beyond physical infrastructure.

“Delta does not need more sugar-coating. It needs results. The people do not need political promises dressed as achievements; they need jobs, industries, functioning ports, quality healthcare, affordable education and an economy that gives them dignity.”

The rights group warned that Delta should not wait until its 40th anniversary before confronting the development gaps that have persisted for decades.