Participation in Community Development Micro Projects in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Implications for Social Work Education and Practice

Abstract

This study sought to investigate factors militating against community participation in development projects executed under the Micro Projects Programme and how to reduce such factors to the barest minimum in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A questionnaire, an in-depth interview (IDI) guide and a focus group discussion (FGD) guide were used for data collection. Borehole water, generator-house, health centres, staff quarters and markets were the projects executed. Inadequate devolution of power to the grassroots, among others, was the major problem that hindered involvement of community members in the development process of the Micro Projects Programme in the study areas. To enhance active participation of beneficiaries in the development process of the programme, suggestions are proffered.

Community engagement in development projects: government versus private funded projects in Ghana

“…It implies that community members are clueless about how government-funded projects get started and finished. Though this finding is contrary to Rashied and Begum’s (2016) findings in Bangladesh, it is consistent with what Veta (2021) discovered in Nigeria that inadequate devolution of power to the grassroots via CE affected micro projects at the local level.…”

“…Access to information by people affects CE in development projects. Though access to information today has become more available because of technological advancement, citizens doubt the genuineness and fairness of information they read from state authorities or corporates' official websites or in the press media (Veta, 2021). Citizens can get frustrated because they do not know which source is official and represents facts accurately (Veta, 2021).…”

“…Though access to information today has become more available because of technological advancement, citizens doubt the genuineness and fairness of information they read from state authorities or corporates' official websites or in the press media (Veta, 2021). Citizens can get frustrated because they do not know which source is official and represents facts accurately (Veta, 2021). Unfortunately, state authorities, agencies and district assemblies do not have active websites to visit and obtain relevant information about development projects in Ghana.…”

“…On the other hand, Ahoi (2010) observes that CE in governmental development projects in Ghana is poor and suggests that CE could be fully operationalized with political will and the authentic practice of democracy. Similarly, Veta (2021) reports that involvement of community members in development projects was hindered by inadequate devolution of power to the grassroots in Nigeria.…”