Assessment of Households’ Participation in Community and Social Development Projects (CSDP): A Case Study of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed households’ participation in Community and Social Development Project in Imo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, determined the participation of the respondents in the project and ascertained the perceived effectiveness of the project. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 216 respondents, while structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from them. Data were analyzed using percentages, bar charts and mean statistics. Hypothesis was tested using analysis of variance at 5% significance level. Results showed that majority (68.1%) of the respondents were male while 79.2% and 97.2% were married and educated respectively. It also revealed that the respondents participated more in drainage system project (48.4%), modern oil mill (39.6%) and market structures (35.3%). Furthermore, the result showed that oil mill (88.4%), water boreholes (88.4%), erosion control (86.6%), drainage systems (86.6%), construction of school blocks (83.3%) and health centres (81.5%) were perceived as effective projects in the area. The result of the hypothesis tested revealed that there were no significant differences in the levels of participation of community members in CSDP in the three agricultural zones of the state. It was recommended that the project should be replicated in other parts of the country since it had bearing on the welfare of the people. Women, youth and the vulnerable should be given an opportunity to participate in similar project in the future.