CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN SELF-HELP PROJECTS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITIES IN DELTA AND OYO STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Citizen participation in self-help projects has been recognized globally, as an essential ingredient for sustainable socio-economic development. There is vast literature on citizen participation in self-help projects generally in Nigeria, but there is a dearth of such literature on the extent to which socio- economic development through self-help projects has particularly been community- driven in Delta and Oyo states. This study, therefore, examined the influence of citizen participation in self-help projects implementation and socio-economic development of communities in Delta and Oyo states, Nigeria.

The descriptive survey research of ex-post facto type was adopted. One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two respondents, comprising sixteen community leaders, eighty community representatives, of equal representation of the two states, eight hundred and eighty-eight community dwellers from Delta state and nine hundred and fifty-six community dwellers from Oyo state, were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Citizen Participation in Self-help Projects’ Implementation Scale (r=0.87) and Socio-Economic Development Scale (r=0.78) were used for data collection. These were complemented with 32 sessions of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) held with 16 community leaders and community development officers. Eight research questions were answered and one hypothesis tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Moment correlation, Multiple Regression, t-Test and content analyses.

Citizen participation in self-help projects’ implementation significantly influenced (R= .973) socio- economic development (F (5, 1856) = 6693.95) accounted for 95% of the dependent measures in communities in the two states. Relatively, the influence of the independent variables on the socio- economic development were as follows: roads (SD= 1.55), bridges (SD= 1.52), bore-holes (SD= 1.50), markets (SD= 1.48), health centers (SD= 1.37), town halls (SD= 1.23), nursery and primary schools (SD= 1.19), and court rooms (SD= 1.10). Also, citizen participation in self-help projects’ implementation were as ranked: planning (β = .559, p< 0.05), felt needs identification (β =.351, p< 0.05), monitoring and evaluation (β =.229, p< 0.05), execution of projects (β =.202, p<.0.05), resource mobilisation (β = .069, p<. 0.05). Significant relationship existed between adult inhabitants’ demographic factors and participation in self- help projects as follows: age (r=0.91), sex (r=0.82), marital status (r=0.79), occupation (r=0.63) and religion (r=0.42). There was no significant difference in citizen participation in self-help projects’ implementation in Delta and Oyo states. The results of the FGD and KII sessions, however, revealed that the respondents have been significantly involved in building of community town halls, court-rooms, community markets and health centres amongst others; but would need financial and technical assistance from the government.

Citizen participation in felt needs identification, planning, resource mobilisation, project execution, monitoring and evaluation enhanced the socio- economic development of communities in Delta and Oyo states. Efforts should therefore be made in the areas of financial and technical supports by the Local and State Governments to encourage the communities to participate more in self- help projects.

Key Words: Citizen participation, self-help projects implementation, socio-economic development, community- driven projects Word Count: 500