HURPA Faults Oborevwori’s Job Creation Claims, Calls for Sustainable Employment Strategy

HURPA Faults Oborevwori’s Job Creation Claims, Calls for Sustainable Employment Strategy

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  • April 24, 2026
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In a growing policy debate over employment in Delta State, the Human Rights Pathfinders Association (HURPA) has challenged recent remarks by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, arguing that the administration’s definition of job creation requires urgent reconsideration.

The governor, while speaking at a public function, reportedly stated that ongoing road construction projects and salary increases for doctors and other medical personnel constitute deliberate steps toward job creation in the state.

However, HURPA, in a strongly worded response, described the claims as “misleading and economically shallow,” insisting that while infrastructure development and wage adjustments are important, they do not address the core issue of sustainable employment.

Infrastructure Is Not Enough
According to the group, road construction projects primarily generate temporary jobs, often limited to the duration of the project. Once completed, many of the workers return to unemployment, raising concerns about the long-term impact of such initiatives.

HURPA emphasized that true job creation must go beyond short-term engagements and focus on building industries that can absorb labor consistently. The group argued that without deliberate investment in production, innovation, and enterprise development, infrastructure alone cannot solve unemployment.

Salary Increase Is Welfare, Not Job Creation
The organization further clarified that increasing salaries for doctors and health workers, while commendable, should be classified as a welfare policy rather than a job creation strategy.

“Improving wages enhances motivation and retention in the workforce, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare, but it does not expand the number of available jobs,” the statement noted.

What Real Job Creation Should Look Like
HURPA outlined a more comprehensive approach to tackling unemployment in Delta State, urging the government to adopt policies that stimulate economic productivity and entrepreneurship. Key recommendations include:
Support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Providing access to funding, training, and market opportunities for local businesses.
Agricultural Value Chain Development: Investing in processing, storage, and distribution to turn farming into a profitable and job-rich sector.
Industrialization: Establishing agro-processing zones and light manufacturing hubs across the state.
Skills Acquisition and Vocational Training: Equipping young people with practical, market-relevant skills.
Technology and Innovation Support: Encouraging digital entrepreneurship and remote work opportunities.
A Call for Policy Shift
HURPA urged the Delta State Government to rethink its employment strategy and adopt a results-driven approach that focuses on measurable job growth rather than indirect or temporary indicators.

The group concluded by calling on Governor Oborevwori to engage stakeholders, including economists, private sector leaders, and civil society organizations, in designing policies that can deliver sustainable employment for the people of Delta State.

As the debate continues, many residents and analysts say the discussion presents an opportunity for the government to recalibrate its economic policies and prioritize long-term prosperity over short-term interventions.
Kwale Post will continue to monitor developments on this issue.