ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SELECTED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed community participation in rural development projects implementation of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Imo State Nigeria. Its specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identify the various rural development projects implemented by the commission in the area between the years 2010 and 2023, and ascertain the degree of participation of community members in the project implementation. Data collection instruments included; a structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews, participant observation, and reference documents.  Purposive and simple random samplings were procedures employed for collecting data which were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Findings in the study indicated that 58% of respondents were males. Adults within the age range of 41 – 60 years formed a greater number (42.5%) in the study. Approximately, 57% of respondents were married, and heads of households (88.3%) were males. Majority of the respondents (97.5%) were literate. An overwhelming majority of the respondents (85.8%) were Christians. A significant majority of respondents (98.30%) belonged to one community-based organization or the other. A greater number of the total projects (56.5%) embarked upon by the Commission (ISOPADEC) in the area were completed, 24.4% were ongoing while 13.9% were abandoned. The socioeconomic and cultural factors identified through regression results that influenced the effective implementation of rural development projects in the area included age, level of education, place of residence, occupation, level of income, and membership of the community-based organization.