Assessment of Community Participation in Sustainable Development Projects of Total Exploration and Production Nigerian Limited in Rivers State

Abstract

The study assessed the level of participation of oil bearing host communities in sustainable development projects of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNL) in Rivers State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to determine the level of participation of the respondents in the development stages of the sustainable development projects and to ascertain the constraining factors to effective participation of host community members in the sustainable development projects of TEPNL. Primary data were used to elicit information necessary for the study. The primary data for the study were obtained using a structured questionnaire and responses recorded from the respondents during the focus group discussion. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted from which 250 respondents were selected for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentages, mean scores, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. There was significant difference on level of participation among the recipient communities (F-cal of 31.80 was greater than F- tab of 2.37 at 0.05 probability level). Mean scores with different alphabets down the column were significantly different at 0.05 probability level when subjected to post hoc multiple comparison using Scheffe model. The study further revealed that lack of proper consultations, contractor related factors, and inadequate funding were among other factors that contributed to ineffective participation of host community members in the project development. Based on these findings, the study recommended among others, the need for formation of cooperatives and integrative social relation that will be more conducive for popular participation in and success of rural development efforts than the antagonistic divisive alternative.