i

TITLE PAGE

ASSESSMENT OF PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION OF GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN EZZA SOUTH LGA OF EBONYI

STATE.

A RESEARCH THESIS PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION AND EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA,

NSUKKA.

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF MASTER OF EDUCATION (M.ED) IN ADULT

EDUCATION

BY

NWITEOZUM, EMMANUEL N.

PG/M.ED/05/40051

JUNE, 2009.

ii

APPROVAL PAGE

THIS THESIS HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ADULT

EDUCATION AND EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

NSUKKA

BY

______________ _____________________ SUPERVISOR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT ___________________ _____________________ INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

_______________________________ DEAN, FACULTY OF EDUCATION

iii

DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to God for His abundant grace upon my family, and to the

spirit of my late mother, Madam Mary Nwafo Nwiteozum, aka.“Nwada- Igede- Njoku”,

(Nne Sunday) who could not wait for my graduation.

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My profound gratitude goes to my supervisor: Prof. P. N. C. Ngwu, whose invaluable

insights played critical roles in the shape and content of this study.

I reserve a deep sense of gratitude to my lecturers: Prof. (Mrs.) C.I.Oreh, Dr. (Mrs.)

Stella C. Nwizu, Dr. (Mrs.) J. A. Okpoko, Mr. G. O. Obi, Ven. C. A.Onyechi, Dr. (Mrs.) U.

Ebirim, Mr. Nwabuko, L. O.,Dr( Mrs) Mbagwu and other lecturers in the Department of Adult

Education, UNN for their expert advice and encouragement throughout the course of my study.

I would love to thank my amiable wife Mrs. Christiana Ujebe Nwiteozum and my kids

for their assistance, assurance, love and expectation. I thank most especially, my mother’s

father: Chijindu Constantine for his songs and dances at just eight months.

My friends and colleagues – O.C.Nwangwa, Chief M.N.Edene, Nonye, Tina, M.N.

Chukwu, R.Otodo(mallam), J. Nwonu(Churchill), Abari L,Udochukwu,Hon.J.S.Ngele(JP) and

sister Cordelia Ukpabi deserve unmeasured thanks for their supplies, prayers and persuasion

within the period, and for painstakingly subsuming my shortcomings.

This is time to thank, Dr. Agha Okoro and Mr. Ezeagu, Ebonyi State Local Government

Health and General Manager, Ebonyi State Immunization Officer respectively. Mrs J. E.

Chukwu – HOD Health, Ezza South L.G.A and Jully Egede for their offer of book materials.

Thank you, Tony Onah of Freedomson Computers for typesetting the work.

This intellectual work is a synergistic product of many brains. I therefore remain

indebted to those too numerous to mention, who in more than one way encouraged or assisted

me during the course of this study.

NWITEOZUM, EMMANUEL N.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page - - - - - - - - - - - - i

Approval Page - - - - - - - - - - - ii

Dedication - - - - - - - - - - - - iii

Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - - - iv

Table of contents - - - - - - - - - - v

List of Table - - - - - - - - - - - vii

Abstract - - - - - - - - - - - viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION - - - - - - - 1

Background of the Study - - - - - - - - - - 1

Statement of the Problem - - - - - - - - - 7

Purpose of the Study - - - - - - - - - - - 8

Significance of the Study - - - - - - - - - 8

Scope of the Study - - - - - - - - - 9

Research Questions - - - - - - - - - - 9

Hypotheses - - - - - - - - - - - 10

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW - - - - - - 11

Conceptual Framework - - - - - - - - - 11

Theoretical Framework - - - - - - - - - - 38

Empirical Framework - - - - - - - - - - 41

Summary of Literature Review - - - - - - - - 43

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY - - - - - - - 45

Design of the Study - - - - - - - - - - 45

Area of the Study - - - - - - - - - - 45

Population of the Study - - - - - - - - - 46

Sample and Sampling Technique - - - - - - - - 46

Instrument for Data Collection - - - - - - - - - 47

Validation of the Instrument - - - - - - - - - 47

Reliability of the Instrument - - - - - - - - - 48

Procedures for Data Collection - - - - - - - - 48

vi

Method of Data Analysis - - - - - - - - - 48

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA - - - 50

Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents - - - - - 50

Research Question One - - - - - - - - - 52

Research Question Two - - - - - - - - - 53

Research Question Three - - - - - - - - - 54

Research Question Four - - - - - - - - - 55

Research Question Five - - - - - - - - - 56

Hypothesis One - - - - - - - - - - 56

Hypothesis Two - - - - - - - - - - 57

Hypothesis Three - - - - - - - - - - 58

CHAPTER FIVE:DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS - - - - - - - - - 60

Discussion of findings - - - - - - - - - -60

Summary of the

Findings - - - - - - - - - 61

Implications of the Study - - - - - - - - - 65

Recommendation - - - - - - - - - - 66

Limitations of the study - - - - - - - - - 67

Suggestion for Further Study - - - - - - - - - 67

Summary - - - - - - - - - - - 67

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

Appendix A – Request to Respond to a Questionnaire

Appendix B – Questionnaire

Result and Data Analysis

Appendix C - (i) Validation

(ii) Validation

Appendix D – (i) Reliability Result.

vii

LIST OF TABLES

TABLES

3.1 Distribution of women and men members of Town Unions in the twelve communities of Ezza

South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

3.2 Sampled members of the Town Unions of the sixe communities in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi

State.

4.1 Demographic characteristics of the Respondents.

4.2 Marital status of the Respondents

4.3Educational Qualifications of the Respondents

4.4 Occupations of the Respondents.

4.5 Religions of the Respondents.

4.6 Mean Responses on the Strategies for Mobilizing People for Grassroots Community Development

Projects.

4.7Mean Responses on the Procedure for Planning Grassroots Community Development Projects

4.8 Mean Responses on Effective Ways of Implementing Grassroots Community Development

Projects.

4.9Mean Responses on Nature of Participation of Community Members in Grassroots Community

Projects

4.10 Mean Responses on the Factors Militating Against Effective Implementing Grassroots

Community Projects.

4.11 T -test Analysis of Responses on the (510) Men and Women Members of the Community on the

Effective Procedure of Planning of Grassroots Community Projects.

4.12 T-test Analysis of Responses of (510) Men and Women on the Various Ways of Implementing

Grassroots Community Development Projects.

4.13 T-test Analysis of Responses of (510) Men and Women on the Nature of Participation in

Grassroots Community Development Projects in Ezza South L.G.A. of Ebonyi State.

viii

ABSTRACT

This research work dealt with the Assessment of People’s Perception about Grassroots Community Development Projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State. To carry out the study effectively, five (5) research questions and 3 null hypotheses were formulated by the researcher. The population for the study consists of four thousand and twenty (4020) women and men members of town unions of the twelve (12) communities that make up Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The major instrument used for collection of data was questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages, weighted mean and t-test statistical tools. The major findings of the study are: (1) that awareness creation through tradition or mass media, seminar, employing the services of traditional institutions and town unions/community-based organization and involving influential members in the community are effective strategies for mobilizing people for grassroots community development projects. (ii) that prioritizing the needs of the community, listing methods of achieving the objectives of the project, making a list of resources for the project implementation, people determining time and duration of implementing the project, involving people in projects formulation, making provisions for emergency situation and ensuring people’s trust through free flow of communication are effective procedure of planning grassroots community development projects (ii) that allowing community members to take active part during project implementation, allowing various groups in the community to work together, making maximal use of community resources, allowing one project to be handled at a time, making use of expert advice and welcoming aids from outside the community are the ways grassroots community development projects could be implemented. (iv) that involving the people in the decision making processes, allowing the people to join in the planning, execution, assessment and utilization allowing people to offer free services and resources to be provided by the people, and making people to donate or pay projects levy are the nature of participation of community people in grassroots community projects. (v) that factors militating against effective grassroots community development projects include, non-involvement of community members in the design, implementation and assessment of projects, conflicts among leaders, poor leadership and embezzlement of project fund, inadequate financial and materials, government lip service, poor targeting of projects, natural disasters, unwillingness of the community members to participate in project implementation and use of inappropriate communication network. Following these findings, some recommendations and suggestions were finally made.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background To The Study

The concept of community development when viewed from the angle of improving the quality

of living of the people in a given community could be said to be as old as when man began his

existence on earth. This informed Aguene (1998), quoting Onokothorage and Okafor said that

community development model of rural development has for long been applied in Nigeria. It is desired

in Nigeria as an important aspect of development administration. Community development, according

to Bassey (2002) is the stimulation of the desire for better things and the urge to attain such things. It

involves the promotion of better living conditions through projects that the local people support

through their own initiative and or their full involvement in the implementation process.

Anyanwu (1992) pointed out that community development was introduced to evoke the

initiative of the masses in a movement in order to promote better living for the whole communities. He

maintained that community development is a movement that aims at promoting better, happier,

healthier and more fruitful living for all the members of a community. It is sustained by the

determination to achieve a satisfying end. Kuponiyi, Olarinde and Ayanwuyi (2007) maintained that

community development is an empowerment strategy which enables local people to exploit to their

advantage community’s human and material resources, which would otherwise lie dormant and

perpetuate ignorance and poverty. It enables the people to embark on development effort through their

concerted efforts. Nzeneri and Ogili (2002) said that community development was a mechanism

employed by our fathers to construct roads, develop lands, build houses and even pay dowry.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Esenjor (1995) noted that community development came

into prominence due to the increasing concern to achieve rapid economic and welfare goals by the

leaders of emerging nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America. He said that due to the exploitation and

suppressive policies of such rulers, these countries became poor and remained underdeveloped. Some

of these countries had to undertake long struggles to get things better for her citizens. The governments

of these nations have assumed wider responsibilities for the promotion of well being for her citizens.

Oreh (2007) opined that community development efforts within the period prior to the advent

of colonialism involved the use of all available resources for the betterment of the lives of the people,

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thus is contending with negative customs and traditions which discouraged such synergic efforts aimed

at developing the community and its people. The coming of Europeans to African nations for trade,

religious and political emancipation brought with it new phases of community development. It was

during this period that community development in Nigeria originated as a modern concept. This

according to Itari (2002), permitted the colonialists to work for the people rather than with the people;

and it was concentrated in the urban areas. From 1940, the first mass literacy campaign, which was

part of the colonial government community development, had been put on the drawing board and the

Welfare Act enacted in which “education” was regarded as basis for national development. The “Act”

according to Okunola (2002) had its genesis from the previous views expressed on the subject matter

such as the 1925 Report of Phelps Stokes Commission on African Education. Okunola reported that

the Phelps Stokes Commission White Paper Report of 1925 recommended among others, that progress

should not rely only on schools, but also come through improved agriculture, community development,

native industries, improvement of health, training people to manage their affairs and the inculcation of

the ideas of citizenship and services. Again, there was the 1935 memorandum of Advisory Committee

on Education, which emphasized on educating the people in the rural communities. Later on, in April

1946, a Ten Year Development Plan was launched. The plan was meant to provide for the

establishment of rural education centers, mass literacy programme, development of technical

education, extension of secondary education and teacher training institutions. Thus, mass education

was developed and pursued with vigor in order to improve the living condition of the Nigerian people.

This, according to Nzeneri and Ogili (2002), necessitated the promotion of fundamental education

which was closely related to the needs for change in attitude and in community practices. In this way,

therefore, adult functional literacy and/or mass literacy education and community development tend to

be a process of socio-economic action, in which people of a community organize themselves for

defining their common problem and using what they have got to get what they need.

Consequently, with the regionalization of the country to three in 1947, Development Officers

were given the mandate to supervise, co-ordinate and administer mass education and community

development in the different provinces. Anyanwu (1992) remarked that later when the Ten Year

Development Plan (1946-1956) was introduced which equally emphasized the involvement of the

government in community development. The colonial government used indirect rule, persuasion and

occasional use of force to make communities participate. Amidst resistance the colonial masters

introduced tax payment to compel Africans to work for wages, to increase and raise the standard of

xi

living of Africans. Ijomah (2005) argued that if economic welfare in essence is the yardstick for

fostering the well being of Africans, it should be the welfare of Nigerian masses and not the welfare of

the colonial exploiters.

Anyanwu (1992) quoting Goble (the then Secretary of Northern Province of Nigeria) warned

that development has not been witnessed in his entire jurisdiction because of lack of active

participation of the people. He maintained that:

Too many of our plans for development is imposed from above: too many rests upon the initiative of Government officials. Little of lasting value will be achieved if we continue as at present with Government doing nearly all the planning and execution while the people sit back and await results. Somehow, we must convince the people that the plans are theirs; designed at their wish for their benefit, and that without the active and eager participation of every man and woman in every work of life the schemes only would be partly successful l( p321).

In a seeming bid to involve the people, community development within the colonial period was

in the form of mass education. The colonial government of Nigeria to participated in an exhibition of

mass education organized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO) in Mexico City in November 1947. The government delegations were Major Arthur John

Carpenter and Mr. Edward Rowland Chadwick and another four notable Nigerians. Chadwick believed

that the campaign for the education of the masses should be the responsibility of administrative

officers since they were close to the people. In the process, he encouraged community members to

become literate. He provided the necessary incentive that made various communities in his division to

build village cooperation shops, postal agencies, maternity homes and motorable roads. Chadwick’s

model was to link the world of learning to the world of work, and to marry literacy with vocational

education. He was said to have traveled a lot, and popularized the film, “Daybreak in Udi”, which was

based on his Udi project.

Community development, according to Chukwuezi (2005) is one of the engines of growth and

development of any nation. There is need for popular participation, which ensures that the people

participate actively in taking decisions, formulating policies, implementation and evaluation. This will

enable the people to take part in all aspect of development meant to enhance their living standard. The

community itself has to learn to realize and express its particular needs for development while

xii

executive planning must be based on the needs at the grassroots rather than on programmes laid down

from the center which may neither represent what is actually required by the community, nor likely to

evoke the enthusiasm of the people. Ekom (2002) maintained that the concept of participation makes a

man a subject rather than an object of development.

Successive governments, according to Ogundiya and Baba (2005) have designed programmes

to make life more meaningful in the communities, but surprisingly, there seems to be no sustained

legacy in terms of community life improvement arising from all the efforts. For instance, President

Olusegun Obasanjo initiated the Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) in 1976, with its focus on

increased food production. When Shehu Shagari became the president of Nigeria in 1979, he floated

the Green Revolution with objective similar to his predecessor. General Buhari, who overthrew

Shagari, fought corruption and inculcated discipline. Another effort to better the lot of the people

came during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993). It was during this period that the

first institutional structure and framework to better the welfare of the citizenry were put in place

(Garuba, 2003). Some other programmes initiated were the National Directorate of Employment

(NDE) saddled with the responsibility of fighting unemployment, promoted the creation of self

employment, special public work programmes, the national youth and vocational skills development

and the Directorate for Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFFRI) of 1986 which was established

to ensure integrated rural development, received supports from local governments and community

based organizations. With its direct consultations promoted basic and adult and functional education

programmes mobilized rural women to enhance their awareness and participation in income generating

activities, health education and family planning. Others include: the People’s Bank of Nigeria that

provided credit to rural business in a way at which it can be managed by small scale operators and

without requiring collaterals and the Community Banks that accepted various types of deposits, issued

redeemable debentures, received money of banking instruments, provided auxiliary banking services

and provided credit in 1989 and 1990 respectively; all for encouraging savings and credit facilities,

thereby improving the lot of people in the community. Equally, the wives of leaders in Nigeria paraded

some community improvement programmes such as Mrs. Babangida’s Better Life for Rural Women:

enlightened the women folk about the importance of family planning, intensification of free education

for girls, women organizations, mobilization ,welfare education, women in agriculture, rural

responsibility and the establishment of the National Commission for Women, Mrs. Abacha’s Family

Support Programme and Family Advancement Programme, targeted at the needs of females,

xiii

children, the aged and down trodden. Even, the wife of Obasanjo, Late Stella Obasanjo showcased

Child Care Trust.

More so, Obasanjo’s first tenure bid from 1999 did on assumption of office examine the

various Poverty Alleviation Programmes in the nation, with the view to harmonizing their

effectiveness. This gave rise to the emergence of an institutional framework for poverty alleviation

known as the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP). As stated in Federal Republic of

Nigeria (FRN,2002) that NAPEP was designed to help eradicate extreme poverty by the year 2010,

inline with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals of making the people and

communities in Africa as well as other developing nations to experience improvement in their area by

the year 2015. Apart from these, Nigerian government, under President Musa Yar’Adua has the Seven

Point (development) Agenda and the Re-branding Project based on National Economic Empowerment

Development Strategy (NEEDS).

The major problem is that each government tends to have unique and varied philosophical

inclination to whatever aspect of development it deems fit. Specifically, Itari (2002) remarked that lack

of power at the local level, absence of effective local development oriented institutional structures, lack

of funds and mismanagement of lean resources and over dependence on outside models hampers

development programmes It is regrettable that in Nigeria, the plethora of integrated community

development programmes as enumerated above has not resulted to community improvement.

Obviously there may have been administrative and structural factors that have stifled most efforts

towards executing community development projects in Nigeria. Ekom (2002) asserted that often too,

developmental initiative takes the top-down approach whereby planning and implementation is done at

the government circle without the involvement of the target population in the decision-making process

of needs identification and project design. The top-down approach tends to look at communities as

often not involved as direct partners in development. No wonder Nwabuko and Oreh (2006) quoting

Easterly and Levine made it clear that:

No government or organization can afford to work in isolation. We need to recognize the different strengths and capabilities different organizations have and build partnerships and methods at the national, state and local levels which make the different strengths (P.302).

xiv

Recognizing the importance of participation in community development the Federal

Government of Nigeria convened a meeting of the National Stake Holder’s Consultation of Education

and Development in August 2000 with the aim to review and to find solutions to it. But there is no way

this can happen when the women are excluded in issues bordering on development. Onyishi (2004)

revealed that women fail to participate in community projects due to conflicts between their domestic

duties and the project. The attempts to empower women have travelled through the decades. It is stated

under the third goal of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that promoting gender equality and

empowering women is a priority. In fact, women have an enormous impact on the wellbeing of their

family and societies but their potentials are not realized because of discriminating social norms,

incentives and legal institutions (Kwapong, 2005). Considerable efforts have been made by

governments and other agencies to address women’s needs and their exclusion from the benefits of

development. In Nigeria, several policy approaches have been used such as Better Life for Rural

Women and Family Support Programme. Despite these, evidence shows that women in Nigeria are

marginalized in the sense that they do not have access to land, training and basic socio-economic

infrastructure and activities. As a result, their contribution to community development process is

minimal when compared to men (Madu, 2004). The persistent inequality in access to resources along

gender line needs much to be cherished. In actual sense, it is a negation to development. Development

demands increase in the production, consumptive capacity of a population and most especially the

access to which all people have to basic social resources, activities and productive resources. The

fundamental problem therefore becomes that women have limited access to resources and this hinders

their productivity and welfare as well as their contribution to development. The situation is worse as

women are not as educated as men. Male and female should work in inter-relationship and inter-

connectedness. Eya (2002) asserted that community development require active involvement of all

stakeholders, since it is multi-dimensional no single actor has the monopoly of its achievement and that

it should be based on human rights since human rights are an essential part of development.

Sustainable development policies can only succeed if the central role of women is put into full use. If

women access education, training and health care, these will enable them have dignity and participate

fully in project development in the communities, as the dreams of women are the dreams of their

homes/communities. Community developments is not a hide and seek game, hence people’s

involvement in decision-making processes in grassroots community development projects is crucial.

xv

Efforts to develop the community has seemingly failed, there is urgent need to allow the people

participate. It is in the bid to involve the citizens that various programmes such as Mass Mobilization

for self reliance, economic recovery and social reconstruction(MAMSER), National Orientation

Agency (NOA), National Directorate for Employment (NDE) and Directorate for Food, Roads and

Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI) were launched (Garuba, 2003). But the fact was that things did not

change for the better. The failure of these projects serves to illustrate the need to involve the rural

people in any decision that pertaining to development of the community. Frynas (2005) said that there

have been attempts at stimulating community development through self-help projects; since they result

from the government’s lack of soft skills for community development, and top-bottom approach.

Top-bottom approach tends to look on communities as often not involved as direct partners in

development. Akinsorotan and Olujide (2007) contended that despite the government efforts towards

project implementation, a lot of these projects had been abandoned due to lack of funding or other

relevant resources. They said that some projects turned out to be rather useless to the community as a

result of improper planning, even when it is a common knowledge that self help efforts of the people

are more effective in meeting the needs of certain communities than others.

Since the emergence of development efforts in Nigeria and grassroots community projects in

Ezza South Local Government Area, no study has been carried out to assess grassroots road and other

community development projects in the area, hence this study.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Since independence, successive governments in Nigeria have initiated different community

development programmes. Unfortunately, it is obvious that none of the programmes could be said to

have achieved the desired objectives. Government initiated community development programmes have

been criticized for its failure to properly identify the common objectives or the felt needs of the

beneficiaries and failure to base the planning and implementation on democratic procedures by

involving the people adequately (Omoruyi, 2001, Anyanwu, 2002).

Research and evaluation funding of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP,2001)

and World Bank (1998) revealed that programmes commanding a sense of ownership by target

beneficiaries and stakeholders have clearly performed better than those that did not and unless the

target beneficiaries are carried along, they will never have commitment to make such development

programmes work. No wonder in Ebonyi state and Ezza South LGA in particular, it is evident that so

xvi

many community development projects have failed and many more could not be sustained. Going

round the LGA, the researcher marveled at the level of so many uncompleted and abandoned

community projects in the area.

Considering this scenario, the question becomes: Could it be that the people were not involved

or that the people were unwilling to participate in community development projects? Therefore, in the

light of the above statement, it has become imperative to assess the perception of the people about

grassroots community development projects in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State.

1.3 Purpose Of The Study

The general purpose of the study is to assess the perceptions of the people of Ezza South about

grassroots community development projects in Ezza South Local Government Area. Specifically, the

study will seek to:

1. Ascertain the characteristics of the participants in grassroots CD projects

2. Identify the strategies for mobilizing people for grassroots community development

projects.

3. Determine the effective procedures of planning of grassroots community development

projects.

4. Identify the various ways of implementing of grassroots community development

projects.

5. Identify the nature of participation of the people of Ezza South in grassroots community

development projects.

6. Ascertain the factors militating against effective grassroots community development

projects.

1.4 Significance Of The Study

The findings of this study will have a number of significant implications. First and foremost,

the result of the study will be very imperative for future researchers in the area of the assessment of the

grassroots community development projects. The result of the study will add to the existing pool of

literature on the problems of assessment of the grassroots community development projects. The result

of the study can go to communities in order to give them needed knowledge on how far their enormous

xvii

efforts and contribution towards community development projects have been utilized, or can be

harnessed.

The result of the study will make the concept of participation and human-centeredness in

community development paradigms to be full appreciated by development practitioners. The

significance of the study will enable the government to give the people the chance to do things in their

own way, for it is erroneous to assume that the illiterate members of the community does not know

what is good for their existence.

The result of this study would raise the spirits of teamwork and boost the morale of citizens’

critical consciousness during and after execution of community development projects.

This study will give credence to the unavoidability of the people in those things that concerns

them. The people, according to Anyanwu (1999) should be at the center of planning, implementation,

evaluation and coordination. In fact, the people should take the lead to attain the objective, and citizens

can build commitment to and identification with their communities thus educating themselves and

contributing to self reliance (Akukwe, 1996).

1.5 Scope Of The Study

This study will be carried out in the twelve autonomous communities of Ezza South LGA of

Ebonyi State. The study of this study is restricted to the assessment of People’s Perception of

Grassroots Community Development Projects in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State.

The content scope of this study will be delimited to characteristics of the participants,

mobilizing strategies, procedure for planning and ways of implementing of grassroots community

development projects. Also, the nature of participation and factors militating against effective

grassroots development projects will be discussed.

1.5 Research Questions

1. What are the characteristics of the participants of grassroots community projects in Ezza

South L .G .A?

2. What are the strategies used for mobilizing people for grassroots community development

projects in Ezza South L.G.A?

xviii

3. What are the effective procedures of planning of grassroots community development

projects in Ezza South L.G.A?

4. What are the various ways of implementing of grassroots community development

projects in Ezza South L.G.A?

5. What is the nature of participation of members of the people in grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South L.G.A?

6. What the factors militating against effective of grassroots community development

projects in Ezza south L.G.A?

1.6 Hypotheses

Ho1. There will be no significant difference in the mean responses of the men and women on the

people’s perception of the effective procedure of planning grassroots community development

projects in Ezza South LGA.

Ho2. There will be no significant difference between the mean responses of the men and women on

the people’s perception of the various ways of implement ting of grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South LGA.

Ho3 There will be no significant difference in the mean responses of the men and women on the

people’s perception on the nature of participation in grassroots community development

projects in Ezza South LGA

xix

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter presents the literature review of the study and will be reviewed under the

following headings.

i. Conceptual framework.

ii. Theoretical framework

iii. Empirical studies

iv. Summary of literature review.

Conceptual Framework

The organizational convenience on which introduction to community development is going to

be discussed is;

i. The concept of community

ii. The concept of development

iii. The concepts of community development

iv. Mobilization strategies for grassroots development projects

v. Procedure for planning grassroots community projects

vi. Ways of implementing grassroots community projects

vii. Nature of participation in grassroots community projects

viii. Factor militating against grassroots community projects

The Concept Of Community

Father, mother and child make up the first known community in human history. It is called a

family in another term. The Suburban Emergency Management Project (SEMP, 2002) defined

community as a group of individuals organized into a unit or manifesting trait or common interest

loosely, the locality or catchment area. Members of a community should have something in common.

In the same vein, the Foundation Consortium (2002) contended that community refers to a population

that has a distinct identity. Members of a community act in a way that is not at variance with the norm

of the group. Anyanwu (1999) referred to a community as;

A population living within a legally established area,

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A population or group of people who communicate or

A group of people living in a given geographical environment (p1)

Anyanwu (1992) quoting Maclver and Puge (1965) sees a community as embracing an area of

social living, marked by some degree of social coherence. Its basis is locality and community

sentiment. Oduaran (1994) maintained that a community is a social unit constituting of a group of

people in a prescribed locally. Neighborliness and geographical delineation give credence to a given

community. Cambridge International Dictionary of English (1996) defined community as the people

who considered as a unit based on their common interests, background or nationality. People of the

same community pursue common goal. Ezeh (1999) viewed community as a relatively small isolated

centre with a stable population in which all economic and social services necessary to life can be

maintained. A community is an empire with all the autonomy and independence enshrined to its

existence or sovereignty. It has authority and is governed by norms and regulations.

Hornby (2004) defined community as all the people who live in a particular area. It could be a

group of people who have things in common because of their vocation, job, trade and even religion or

sports. Nwizu (2001) contended that a community is a group of people with socio-cultural, political or

economic background who live together and do thing together. The two distinct characteristics of a

community are the physical/territorial boundaries with a certain uniqueness of separateness and

social/cultural homogeneity depicting various communal behaviors and interacting relationship.

Lemu (2006) defined community in the most simple and comprehensive way as;

A collection of definable groups of people living together in one geographical location bound by a shared set of values, expectations, aspiration, identity and destiny, pursuing common political, social, economic and related goals in a context of collaboration, cooperation and team work irrespective of observable differences (P.74).

On the background of the above postulation, communities could vary and the level of

heterogeneity could be high or low. The composition of the immediate community and how such

features aligns with that of the people very much affect the role community could play in the live and

activities of the people. This was supported by Harrison and Gilbert (2009) that our greatness is

depended on individual initiative and sense of mutual regard for others, the idea that everybody has a

stake in the country, that we are all in it together and everybody has got a shot at opportunity.

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In conclusion, the members of a community should work for the good of that society so it can grow

and the living condition of the members will be something to write home about, and should believe

that there are better days ahead.

The Concept Of Development

Development is an attempt to be better from time to time. Rodney (1981) contended that

development in human history is a many sided process, which at the level of the individual implies

increased skill and capacity, greater freedom, creativity, self-discipline, responsibility and material

well-being. Development demands responsibility in order to results to better living condition. Hornby

(2004) defined development as a gradual growth. Development is a continuous process. Webster New

Collegiate Dictionary (2008) regards development as a process of growth or change. What was may

not be good at the moment, and what is my not be acceptable. There is search for better ways of doing

things and that is the crux of development.

Development demands improvement in the way people go about their duties. Oduaran (1994)

said that development imply remarkable and sustained improvement of the socio-economic welfare of

the people. It is a movement designed to promote better life for the whole community with their active

improvement. Participation is better when the initiative of the people is sought. You cannot develop

somebody in proxy. Man should be at the centre of development. Anyanwu (1999) opined that

development is a social change in which new ideas are introduced into a social system in order to

produce higher per capita income and improve levels of living. The ability of the people to solve their

own problems with their own wisdom, expeirr3ences and resources to an extent that the well being of

individuals in the community is optimally realized is an aspect of development. Ezeh (1999) asserted

that development from a transitional viewpoint is an upward movement. Development is profit and

enhancement oriented.. Itanyi (2002) said development involves the re-organization of entire economic

and social systems. It results in radical changes in institutional, social and administrative structures.

Development, according to Okore (2005) refers to both the process of widening people’s choices and

the level of their well being, ability to lead a healthy life and to enjoy a decent living. They should be

available and improvement in the food, healthcare, education, shelter, communication, transportation,

leisure, culture and right to life. It should be sustainable in order not to jeopardize tomorrow’s future.

In conclusion, Nyerere (2006) said that development is for man, by man, and of man.

Continuing, he said that;

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For development to have purpose; that purpose is the liberation of man … Always, we come back to man liberated man – as he purpose of activity, the purpose of development. But man only liberate or develop himself. It is his ability to act deliberately for a self-determined purpose, which distinguishes him from the other animals the expansion of its own consciousness, and therefore of his power over himself, his environment, and his society, must therefore ultimately be what we mean by development. (P.78)

The Concepts Of Community Development

Itanyi (2002) quoting Nkememewa (1987) said that community development means on

educational process through which people determine their needs, set targets or objectives and make

adequate plans on how to attain them. One learns after embarking on community development project.

Everybody has something to contribute to see that things move on in the community. Nobody is

irrelevant, as everybody is needed and can do one thing or another. Nzeneri and Ogili (2002) quoting

Nzeneri defined community (rural-urban) development as a forum for learning, awakening mass

enthusiasm, a classroom or laboratory for solving socio-economic, cultural, political and situational

problems of the community. Community development is a process of socio-economic action in which

people of a community organize themselves defining their common problem(s) and using available

resources for solving it. Mbagwu (2005) sees community development to be a group endeavor and

responsibility involving the entire people in bringing about progress in a community. She said that this

group of people feels satisfied and proud of the outcome of their team spirits. No community can have

hope of success without the participation of the people, who are the main beneficiaries and agents in its

execution

Social Development Policy (1989) adopts the efforts by governmental authorities as a

necessary adjunct of community development although community development projects could go

through all its stages and be completed without governmental involvement. Mereni (1991) quoted the

United Nations as defining community development as a process by which the efforts of the people

themselves are united with those of governmental authorities to improve the economic and socio-

cultural conditions of communities, to integrate those communities into the life of the nation and to

enable them to contribute fully to national progress.

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The need for people to better their today and tomorrow through their own initiatives, effort and

available resources led to emergence of community development projects. Chukwurah (2002) quoting

Jones, defined community development as a movement to promote the voluntary participation of the

people themselves in efforts aimed at improving economic, physical and social condition in

communities in order to raise standard of living with as much reliance as possible on the people’s own

initiative. Community development effort should come from the ground. The people for whom the

development is meant for take active part in the developmental process. Nwizu (2002) noted that the

inherent desire of man to acquire some basic human needs, which he cannot provide in isolation

brought community development into focus. Nwizu confirmed that community development is a

process adopted by people in the rural settings to solve their communal needs. Okunola (2002) noted

that there could be no community development activities going on spontaneously and completed at

local levels unannounced without official notice or attention. Okunola maintained that this actually is

the essence of community development ideology.

Community development is a process of social action. Ngwu (2002) said that community

development is an ideal or process by which people in an area, choose to think of as a community, go

about analyzing a situation, determining what can and should be done to improve the situation, and

then move in the direction of achievement of the agreed upon goals and objectives. Ngwu asserted that

community development should be a social action by which voluntary efforts of the people are

contained with those of government toward an overall improvement in conditions of community living

within in accepted national pattern of social and economic progress.

Community development is not a destination, it is a journey. Church (1990), in Anyanwu

(1999) said that community development is a process, a movement, a method, a programme and adult

education process. As a process, it is an on going and progressive; as a movement, it stresses the ideas

being interpreted; as a method, it lays emphasis on the way in which social change activities are carried

out with the view to attaining the goats set out for such activities. As a programme, it lays emphasis on

specific activities and as an adult education process it involves a process of education, which helps

people to think for themselves, to execute projects by themselves, and to affect lasting solutions to

their problems by themselves. Kelly and Caputo (2005) inferred that community development is a

broad based change for the benefit of all community members. This is based on the “common sense”

notion that more developed communities are better able to meet the day-today needs of members of

their community. Hawel, in Nwachukwu (2007) asserted that when a community uses a process

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through which people get together through communication; identify priority needs; plan and take

action to resolve problems, it often involves someone helping them to identify issues of concerns and

facilitating their efforts to bring about change in those areas .Development in a community should

involve and get people together through effective communication in order to identify priority needs so

as to plan and in order to take strategic actions to resolve these problems.

Rodney (1982) said that community development programmes must be relevant to the people’s

need. People’s participation in self-help effort should be paramount, elicited and sustained. It calls for

joint efforts of the government and the people. Community development should not be viewed as an

isolated process undertaken by various communities. It should be an integrated process that contributes

to national development. Anyanwu (1992) opined that community development is an organized effort

of people to improve conditions of the members of the community. It involves social change, whose

primary purpose is to bring about change for better living.

Dorathy and Johnson (2004) asserted that community development is more than just economic

development. They said that community development is a tool for the resolution of issues.

Community development is concerned with the study of the value system and the structural pattern of a

community. Oreh (2007) synthesized community development to be the entire group of processes

undertaken by the people themselves and with or without support by all external body to improve the

physical and non-physical well being. Oreh maintained that community development should embrace

very appropriately the acquisition of desirable and relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes which

could make community members better users of the resources for the enhancement of their living.

Community development should aim at educating and motivating the people for self-help, through

local leadership to create in them a sense of citizenship.

Ume (2001) warned that people atimes get the feeling that community development is only

meant for the rural people. But on the contrary, it started from community organization in the urban

area. Ume maintained that rapid urbanization led to the demise of kingship and now that kingship was

lost community organization sought for ways of bringing back the lost “Willness”. He stated that the

rate at which the Industrial Revolution took place in Europe was so rapid that many people were left

behind in the scheme of things. This left thousands of people in precarious circumstances. The church,

as the traditional provider for the needy could no longer cope with the demand for aids, hence the

emergence of charity movements. They provide for those living in abject poverty and pitiable squalor.

Akintayo and Oghenekonwo (2003), and Egenti (2006) said that community development depicts a

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self reliant change, implying self reliant development, people centered development, and economic

development. It is being responsible for social groups and a process for building a centralized platform

for transformation process.

Esenjor (1992) viewed community development as a development process embracing the

efforts of individuals, self-help, and groups. Each should identify with different roles, towards

increasing the social and economic well being of the members. Oduaran (1994) defined community

development as a process of social action in which the people of a community organize themselves for

planning and action. They define their common and individuals needs and problems; execute these

plans with a maximum reliance upon community resources. Agencies outside the community can help.

But the resources in the community, which include the people and what they have, has to be maximally

made use of before looking for outside help. The people and the resources in the community is the

bedrock upon which the work in the community should lean on. Outside aid is, therefore, secondary.

Ezeh (1999) asserted that community development is an effort towards achieving community goals.

Community development is a positive change in the socio-economic structures and attitudes in

institutions. It accelerates economic growth, employment and reduces inequality, diseases and

ignorance. Community development is an attempt to bring about a more equitable distribution of

resources and income within a society and the integration of the rural poor into the national economy.

Again, Bassey (2002) quoting Macpherson (1949), the then governor of Nigeria in the 1940’s said of

people’s involvement:

But no less important than the method of advancement is the stimulation of desire to make advance of all. Ability to combine self-help and a readiness to make use of improved methods and instruments cannot be fully effective without the directing force of incentive and the determination to achieve an end. Many of us see great hope of setting these forces in motion by fostering what has come to be known as community development. (P.21).

Dore and Zoe (1981) maintained that community development is old. It attempts to improve

present rural community’s material and spiritual life. The material and moral wealth of the people are

made to possess material items.

Ugal (1992), Akinsorotan and Olujide (2007), said that community members make their

contributions to those decisions, which affect them. People are more likely to be committed to the

project, if they are involved in its planning and implementation. They are more likely to identify

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themselves with its use and regard it as their project. Community members are in a better position to

monitor and guide their projects and assets.

Strategies Of Mobilizing People For Grassroots Community Projects.

The descriptive framework on which strategies for mobilizing the people for grassroots

community projects are going to be discussed under the following headings.

a. Sensitization through dialogue

b. Using focal persons

c. Using traditional stool/cabinet

d. Using Community based organizations

e. Consciousness raising

f. Using festivals, rituals, music/songs

g. Using modern and traditional media

h. Adult education process

Mobilization is as a vital element of any development programme. Checkoway (1995) stated

that mobilization is a traditional form of community change. It is an everyday activity, which affects

personal and political lives. The idea of mobilization rests in getting individuals around issues.

Mobilization enlists people’s participation in development projects. In Ikeji (1999), mobilization is

defined as a process by which latent energy from the viewpoint of the acting unit is made available for

collective action. An organized group can harness and control assets to achieve a set objective. More

mobilized members of a community could be activated for more achievements than a less mobilized

group. In recognition of this, Loron in Ugwuozor (2000) asserted that mobilization is a mass oriented

process of a programme service. It has to do with people, the generality of people, the citizenry who

have to be carried along, people whose support must’s be enlisted, if the national cause or programme

is to be fully attained. Any job well begun is half done. Obi (2006) said that effectiveness of any

projects is to witness actualization. He said:

Effective mobilization and sensitization of the community help introduce the project officially to the community so that they will know about the project before it is set up. Mobilization and sensitization of the community enable the sponsors of the project to have the opportunity to discuss dialogue and answer questions, which if not treated at this stage, will later “harm” the project. (P.118)

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Akinpelu in Akpama (2002) mobilization becomes an essential ingredient in the conception and

implementation off any programme tailored to rural development. Both human and material resources,

as well as the psychological physical, and attitudinal features can be marshaled for action in the

process of assembling resources to implement a community based project. Mobilization as a process of

change has both maintenance and change dimensions. Obi (2006) warned that mobilizing, and

sensitizing a community for development initiative is not easy, in terms of manpower and money.

There are activities, which must be thoroughly planned for and followed up. Obi said that any

community that has to be mobilized must be informed before hand and their consent secured, the date

for the mobilization and sensitization in the community confirmed before the actual visit.

It is also necessary to have focal persons in the community who would do the entire spade work

before the actual visit. The focal persons have to work on the spot arranging for the visit. It is better to

select individuals who have good standing in the community as focal persons. The ward councilors can

serve as focal persons. Obi (2006), said that it is also pertinent to start mobilizing a community with a

visit to the traditional ruler and his cabinet members. It is better in the palace of the traditional ruler, in

order to throw light on the socio-economic and political life of their community, which prompts the

need for the project to be introduced. Others to be mobilized, according to Obi, include town union

officials, women and youth organizations, political opinion leaders, potential participants as well as

other relevant groups. If these groups are properly mobilized, they will assist and support the project

very well. The mobilization personnel must be patient with the people.

Amucheazi (1991) asserted that mobilization entails the generation of a high degree of

consciousness among the vast majority of the populace in order to make them participate actively in

the political, social and economic spheres of national life. Raise the consciousness of the people, so

that they see social reality. Amucheazi said that mobilization requires the development of the certain

ideas about some current disabilities and then the organization of social formation, which will be used

to liberate the people and match them toward the desired goal. From the perspective of the Directorate

of Social Mobilization (MAMSER), Esenjor (1992), said that it is the process of pulling together,

harnessing, actualizing and utilizing potential human resources for the purpose of development. It is a

process whereby human beings discover what they have can be used solve their problem. Ikeji (2002)

defined mobilization, as a processed unit made available for collective action. A more mobilized unit

could get more achievement than a less mobilized group. Rodgers (1996) and Ngwu (2002)

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quoting Paulo Freire referred to “Conscientization’ as a process by which the poor become aware of

themselves. They can use their innate potentialities to restructure an oppressive society. Nwizu

(2002) observed that conscientization is based on praxis, which is the act of reflecting on current

realities in the environment and acting on it. Tough moment do not last but tough people do.

Knowledge is power. Garland (2004) said that the people have to be adequately informed to enable

them support and participate actively in the process. Synthesize every information that comes your

way. Adult Education and Development (2006) quoting Nyerere, noted that men living under tyranny,

sickness, ignorance, exploitation or in poverty must be enabled to recognize both that the life they lead

is miserable and that they can change it by their own action. Abiona(2006) sums it up by saying that

mobilization creates awareness for the collective responsibility of the citizenry to tackle their

problems. It brings about a change of attitude and behavior through acquisition of new knowledge

about specific problem, situation or tasks confronting a community. It stimulates acceptance of new

values and innovation.

One spends to get what he cherishes. Oduaran (1989) sees mobilization as consisting of movements,

drives or campaigns designed to activate the masses into a process of change. Good wine needs no

bush. While Akinpelu (1988) sees mobilization as an essential ingredient in the conception and

implementation of community development projects, Anyanwu (1992) asserted that mobilization

creates a sense of urgency in the action to be taken. It conditions the mind towards the achievement of

success. Emenyeonu (1995) said that people’s special events such as festivals, rituals and rites should

be exploited. This is good when such ideas are woven into music, song or drama prepared and

rendered to the people. The people could be mobilized to become achiever, if they come together.

Jegede (2005) remarks that mobilization could be used to improve the living condition of the people. It

is not an easy job to change existing order. You may meet opposition in the course of introducing new

thing in the society. Tahir (2005) quoting Hareback and Huberman (1978) observed that though

resistance to change would be more pronounced in the initial period of the introduction, there is hope

later. The government should ensure effective mobilization of the people through vision building and

sharing.

Mobilization is like dreaming about something and working towards that. Carter (2002)

asserted that to mobilize is to dream dreams about how you would like your community or self can

look in the future. Your childhood vision may come to be realized, if you are hard working. People

should be encouraged to discover who they are, to understand their resources and potential, and then,

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be energized to change their situation. Akpama (2002) remarked that mobilization is an essential

ingredient in the conception and implementation of any community project. People should make their

own efforts. Motivate rather than impose. People can develop themselves. Footsteps Magazine

(2002) made bold to assert that:

The relationship of trust, which has built up over many years, is vital. Other projects may introduce the same practical activities but without success. Development succeeds when people’s world-views are challenged. Only then will they understand they are doing it to themselves. Often in the early stages, people will agree to do new things if they are remunerated in some way, but in effect, they are just working for the programme. (p.11).

Mobilization is using resources for development. The National Immunization Policy and Standard of

Practice (1995) maintained that mobilization is vital in disseminating information to the community

for the purposes of inculcating positive habits in the people. It said that the required principles and

skills to accomplish a change in man, involve the identification of antecedent factors, which militate

against exhibiting positive habits. These factors may be behavioral or educational, inappropriate

intervention strategies or imposition of projects on the people.

Any project that will impact on the people is supposed to be communicated to them. Cole

(1996) defined communication as a process of creating, transmitting and interpreting ideas facts,

opinions and feelings between two or more persons from a top-bottom viewpoint. While Omoruyi

(2001) defines communication as a process by which information or message or idea is transferred

from one person to another. Communication facilitates mobilization and community participation in

development initiative. It is a planned activity-based on the one hand, on participatory processes and,

on the other hand, media and interpersonal. Communication, according to Stoner, Freeman and Gilbert

(2000), is the process by which people attempt to share meanings through symbolic messages. They

emphasized that the process of communication is important to managers because it facilitates the

management functions of planning organizing, leading and controlling. In another perspective,

Baridam (2002) quoting Weihrich and Koontz (1993) sees communication as applying to all phases of

managing but, was quick to add, that it is more apt in the function of leading. Communication is a

must in development. It is the crux of leadership function in any organization. Information brings

transformation. Communication according to Basic Guide for Routine Immunization Service

Providers’-BGRISP (2004) means delivering messages than can be understood. The understanding of

a message is the hallmark of communication. Communication changes the behavior of the client.

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To ensure the involvement of the people in the community, there should be good means of

communication. Abiona (2006) asserted that it is through effective communication network that

awareness of the programme is created. Mobilizing the people through communication is vital for

development. MAMSER (1989) opted to use radio and television programmes to facilitate the

diffusion of information through a designed and strong community based strategy, as they were

determined to carry mass mobilization to the rural areas where over 70% of the people live and work.

Mobilization in community development, according to Eboh, Okoye and Ayichi (1995) quoting

Dudly(1969) offers the best hope for rural transformation in Nigeria. This is socialist oriented as it

emphasizes giving equal opportunity to the rural population to develop their potentials to eliminate

poverty, inequality and unemployment. The objective of this approach is the use of material and

human resources to solve problems. The involvement of people is fundamental to the concept of

community development. The success of community projects depends on the extent to which there is

delegation of initiative and decision-making. It is only in this premise that people can develop a sense

of self-reliance and relevance.

Fundamental ways of passing information is good. Ganiyu (2006) charges development agents

to attempt to speak the local dialect or come down to their level in whatever communication language

and instrument you use. This is important because communication is the only instrument you can use

to mobilize the people for effective participation. Allowing communication gap to occur may lead to

misinformation, misconception or rumor mongering which may adversely affect the progress of the

designed strategy. The mass and traditional media are also adopted as mobilization strategies. Abiona

(2006) listed the agents of mobilization as:

The agents of mobilization include the mass or traditional media, religious organizations schools, youth organization social clubs and others). In order to ensure adequate dissemination of information to the grassroots, the local language should be used. The message should be simple and clear, without ambiguity; should command people’s attention and should be problem-solving oriented in addition; the appropriate channels of communication that can reach the people effectively should be identified and utilized (pp.276-277).

There should be a clear road map, in order to get at the target. Onah (2006) said that

communication objectives attempt to create an enabling environment for a programme they help to

generate or create demands for specified services. A good communication objective must motivate the

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target audience to accept, act and adopt a desired behaviour. Communication objectives will indicate

the expected change in attitude, knowledge or behavior in the target audience, as an end result of the

communication strategy.

An audiovisual aid is a good medium of communication. Esenjor (1992) stated that they are

those tools and devices by the use of which communication of ideas between persons and group is

enhanced. It aids multi-sensory experiences and structure perception clearly and quickly. Some of their

samples are film, filmstrips and others. Anyanwu (1992) stated that the use of cinema was adapted

effectively in Eastern Nigeria for the mobilization of the rural communities for development

programmes. The documentary nicknamed “Day Break in Udi” which captured the self-help activities

of Akagu village in udi local Government Area of the present Enugu state, as produced by the then

District officer, Mr. E. R. Chadwick- (with the sponsorship of crown film unit in London) in the late

1940s and early 1950s.

Adult education processes enable the people to participate effectively. The content of adult education

can promote ways and means for people to learn how to participate. It is a powerful tool in sensitizing

individuals, groups and communities as self reliant participants. The Declaration of Persepolis

identified literacy as a contribution to the liberation of man and to his full development (Ngwu2002).

Different strategies of communication do not mean that the message can reach the target

audience. Emenyeonu (1995) said that well-packaged ideas delivered though media which cannot

reach the target audience is like sweet wine poured into a leaking jar. Relying on traditional or modern

communication may be counterproductive. There is need to merge the two.

Onah (2003) quoting Drucker said that the manager has a specific tool to use if he wants to be

an achiever:

He does not handle people, but he motivates, guides, and organizes people to do their own work. His tool to do all this is the spoken or written word or the language of members. No matter the manager’s job his effectiveness depends on the ability to listen and to read, and his ability to speak or write. He needs skill in getting his thinking across to other people, as well as skill in finding out what other people are after (p.270).

Ogili (2004) itemized the art of mobilizing the people as using vans and other electronic

gadgets in local languages. Also agents of change, such as teachers, civil servants social workers, the

respected elders, religious leaders, union leaders and heads of professional bodies are also good. There

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could be many models of communication in an organization. Cole (1996) and Stoner, Freeman and

Gilbert (2000) asserted that while formal communication could be likened to vertical communication

informal communication could be equated to horizontal or lateral communication. While formal

communication in its downward pattern transmits policies, and such information from a top level,

through the middle to the lowest levels of the organization, informal communication is mostly limited

to face-to-face approach. There are several ways of killing a rat. Omoruyi (2001) noted that the

technique of mobilizing the people for change is by means of enlightenment, utilizing educational

campaign strategies. Though this could be very difficult, there is going to be light at the end of the

tunnel.

Other effective strategies of mobilizing resources for development, according to Agwu (2005),

include formal launching of development projects, voluntary contributions by individuals/ groups and

enlightenment campaigns. This could be in form of project levies. Anita (1990) suggested the use of

survey. In this method, local leadership uses public meetings to either sensitize conscientize or

mobilize the people. Anita (1990) articulated how the Self-Employed Women Association-SEWA

used survey as a strategy in India. There is need for exchange visit to other villages where project have

been completed. Odoh (2000) says that the process of asking and carrying out investigation into the

remote cause of a problem by members of a target group is vital. This is where Paulo Freire’s

conscientization theory is needed. Every old thing is not bad. Ekom (2002) maintained that the

wooden gong, elephant tusk, tortoise shell, even raffia bamboo tissues have all served as traditional

media antiquities. The emergence of electronic media as means of communication is good. Yet it has

not reached every body. There is need to use these traditional media outfit, if need be. There is great

need for skill development in project proposal. Ngwu (2002;1) maintained that:

Proposal writing demands the development of skills in not only project formulation but also the demonstration of capacity to visualize the actual project implementation processes through the preparation of work plans and budgets. Work plans and budgets are the centerpiece of proposals and are organically linked to the other components of a proposal, which must also be outlined in a logical framework or format. In actual project implementation, the logical order in the outline the proposal becomes the benchmark for guiding the achievement of project goals and objectives (p.1).

Bassey (2002) quoting Williams (1967) stated that implementation starts with the development

of programme guidelines to and end when the experiment is deemed ready to be tested. For a concept to

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reach project stage, it has to go through several ways. There is no need for fast rule. Esenjor (1992) said

that plan contain decisions, which exists in one’s mind. When these decisions are related, it may be

essential to put them into document, which we call a development plan. This outline of activities is

called a programme which contains a wide range of activities that gives an idea of work that should be

done to achieve the plan. When this programme is broken down into further manageable unit, we then

say that each unit is a project. Projects in the community should have work plan and its completion

feasible. Hornby (2006) said that a project is planned piece of work that is designed to find information

about something in order to produce something new. It is a set of aims, ideas or an activity that some

body or group of people are interested in and wants to bring to people’s attention. Project, means a

positive search for alternative choice of doing something.

Ngwu (2002) stated that there must be some conceptual models and formats for developing

work plans and preparing budgets. Funding agencies at community, local, state, national or

international level could sometimes provide their own guidelines. He stated that the format for the

proposal should be presented as situation analysis, need analysis, goals, specific objectives, work

plan, benefits, target audience, strategies, duration, venue, and proposed budget, issues of

sustainability, evaluation and report. Ngwu maintained that essence of the two guidelines is to help

one to have a composite view of project proposal in order to choose from the lots the condition or

context either to choose the work plan or the budget. Work plan is needed in every proposal both as a

planning and as a monitoring tool for community projects. The work plan and project budget are the

two most essential components of project proposal. While the work plan describes what actually is

going to be done, consisting of essential outline of activities, time-target and schedules, project budget

concerns itself with objective and logical enumerations of the anticipated costs.

Janovsky (1987) Vincent (1989), Esenjor (1992) broke down the budget into capital and

recurrent costs and classified the budget into investment in production activities, equipment, various

operations, administrative and overhead cost. The community should select those projects that would

rhyme with their objectives. Sometimes, one project could lead to another. Consider project on their

merit. Projects which quickly satisfy basic needs of the poor should be given high priority. This will

happen is there is good budget. It is a key project management tool.

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Effective Procedure Of Planning Grassroots Community Projects

The organizational framework under which effective procedure of planning grassroots CD

projects will be discussed are as mentioned below:

a. Time schedule

b. Content

c. Materials needed

d. Building/structures available

e. Materials to be organized

f. Means of communication

g. Fund

h. Human and material resources

Nothing good comes easy. Planning is good. Planning, according to Hornby (2006) is a set of

things to do in order to achieve something, especially one that has been considered in detail in

advance. Planning is not done in a hurry. Failing to plan is planning to fail. Ngwu (2002) says that

planning is the interrelating of conditions, experiences, resources and points of view in terms of

desired objectives. It is also being seen as a systematic application of forethought. Planning is a very

inclusive process. It is a very important component in community project. Chineme (2000) said that

planning is the setting of goals and objectives for the organization and developing the work maps or

blue prints of how they are to be achieved. It not only involves what must be done but also what are

needed in terms of resources to get it done.

Nnadozie and Ngwu (2002) said that community project requires a work plan including the

time schedule, content; materials needed building and structures available, materials to be organized,

means of communication needed, funds to be utilized as well as human and material resources to be

utilized. Planning takes place in every area of human endeavor. There is need to plan. Ezeani (1995),

quoting Hunter, said that it is there that the great mass of the people are. It is there that most

indigenous resources of men, (women), and land are underused, there that nutrition can be tackled,

there that success would do most to slow, the migration to major cities finally, it is there that some

redress of gross inequality in income distribution can be started. Koontz,, O’donnell and Weihrich

(1984), Stoner and Freeman (1994) said that planning implies what to do, how to do it, when to do it,

and who is to do it. Planning is not a haphazard undertaking. It is arranged before the time it will be

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executed. Planning is a human activity. Egonu (2000) quoting Droir, defined planning as the process of

preparing a set of decisions for action in the future, directed at achieving goals by preferable means.

Planning involves decisions about future, which is unknown. Egonu (2000:16) said that:

Planning involves decisions unknown future; there are certain identifiable limitations to the planning process. Planning requires a set of alternative decisions based on economic, social and demographic data, which are very often not available. Secondly, there are human factors such as policy makers with their political ambitious, who manipulate allocation of resources thereby making it impossible for planners to develop and implement alternative strategies (p. 16).

Egonu (2000) said that although these limitations may exist, there are also possibilities in the

planning process, which help in making both qualitative and quantitative plan more efficient and

effective. Egonu (2000) citing Bhola (1984) itemized some points to that effect.

i. Being able to define and state planning objectives and operational terms clearly.

ii. Being able to overcome routine perceptions of future possibilities and trying to invent creative

planning alternatives.

iii. Bringing together different authorities and perceptions to understand both the present and the

future possibilities.

iv. Using social scientific theory to anticipate generally, the community responses to different

options.

v. Collecting, storing and retrieving information needed for the design and evaluation of

alternatives.

Hollman (1993) and Obi (2006) said that planning projects is a painstaking activity because of

the needs of the potential participants and the motives that induce them to participate. Although

planning stage is likely to be time consuming, the result will be assured. Esenjor (1995), Ngwu (2002)

and Onah (2006), summarized steps in planning as: analyzing the existing situations ,identifying the

problems, potentials and talents ,determining the achievable objectives ,identifying objectives,

identifying priority projects and available resources, time for implementing the projects, deciding and

implementing the projects, progress and evaluating the results ,making adjustment if need be. Planning

a project could take autocratic or democratic option. Ngwu (2002) stated that when few of the local

people are involved in the planning process of community, the situation is autocratic. Though

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democratic option is good, it is better to choose the mouthpiece of each group to act on representative

capacity. Planning at the community level should ensure active participation of the people for whom

the programme is intended. Projects are better done using participatory approach.

Ways Of Implementing Grassroots Community Development Projects

The organizational frameworks under which ways of implementing grassroots community

projects will be discussed are as mentioned below:

i. . Securing community involvement/participatory approach.

ii. . Coordination of group institutions.

iii. Project monitoring.

Iv. Project evaluation.

V. Attitudes of the people towards community projects

The taste of pudding is in the eating. Obi (2006) stated that the effectiveness of any project to

a large extent depend on the quality of the personnel implementing the project. Expert hands should be

contracted. Ezeh (1999) and Hornby (2004) defined implementation as the making of official

decision to start to happen. Implementation does not happen by accident. Onah (2006) said that project

implementation involves the performance of the core activities which will lead directly to the

realization of the project. Projects implementers’ a times need to replan parts or the entire project

depending on new information. Implementation is a learning process as there is bound to be changes

from time to time. Agunwamba (1995) warned that when projects are not designed with the people’s

mandate, it leaves them uncommitted to the project. Involvement goes should beyond digging of

trenches. Ezeh (1999) said that a number of activities required in project implementation include:

securing community participation for launching the project; coordination of activities, monitoring and

providing for contingency. Community worker espousing the participatory approach to development

must strive to carry along with him all segments of the community. If all these groups are properly

coordinated, there will be reduction of costs, prevention of duplication of activities, which in the long

run would promote efficiency. The same modalities should be applied to monitoring of the project.

Ezeh said that if the project is properly monitored, it will ensure that work is progressing in accordance

with the original master plan. Should any obstacle be encountered, urgent action will be taken with the

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view to keeping record straight. If projects are properly managed during its implementation stages,

difficult contingencies would be contained.

Akukwe (1995) and Anyanwu (1999) regarded it as felt need. This principle stresses that

people must be able to identify what they want to do in order to achieve their desired development.

Felt-need teaches man to be motivated by his wants and needs; it propels him into action to change his

situation. When people realize that the projects will be of benefit, they are more likely to show interest

in the project. Bassey (2002) quoting knoyx (1977) said that people invest themselves in activities

because of the attractiveness of the process and the anticipated goals. If the the sequence is

participation, satisfaction, mastery, predisposition, involvement and accomplishment, the likely result

is an increase in interest. A situation of this description is congenial to project implementation.

Majority carries the vote. Two heads are better than one. Bassey (2002) quoting Newcomb et

al (1966) asserted that some kinds of problems are better solved by several persons who work together

than by a single one. Projects should be assigned to different individuals. Anyanwu (1999) said that

citizen participation enjoins that whatever is done to improve the welfare of a people must endeavor to

elicit their interest. The initiative of the people is a good means of steering people to action.

Development should have human face. Development, according to Adult Education and Development

(2006) quoting Nyerere(1976), is for man, by man, and of man. Anybody who hopes to help the

community must follow to factor the nature of the intended change in the community life.

Ukwu (1985) observed that improvement, town and development unions play vital role in

grassroots community projects. The role of the youth and women organizations is ideal also.

Everybody is needed in mobilizing human material, psychological, physical and attitudinal

components. Anyanwu (1992) indicated that cooperative societies, craft organization, political

organizations, community development associations, like the age grade, town unions, women

organizations, youth organizations social clubs should participate and supervise grassroots community

projects. Mobilization creates a sense of urgency in the action to be taken, thereby preparing and

conditioning the minds of the people towards the achievement. Akpama (2002) said that mobilization

of people for effective participation in grassroots community projects is imperative. The success or

failure, nature and direction of any project solely rest on the effective mobilization of human resources.

Effective mobilization strategies must be put in place to ensure the participation of the people whose

sordid (pitiable) conditions the projects are meant to ameliorate.

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Akpama (2000) asserted that effective mobilization of the citizenry has implications for active

participation implementation and completion of grassroots projects. The achievement of project

objectives is determined by the holistic mobilization of the people. Onah (2006) asserted that the

successful implementation of projects requires flexibility and continual feasibility studies, to be able to

generate alternatives. Update of data collection system should be established by the project owners in

order to provide base line and current data on the project. Regular project appraisals should be

undertaken to assess likely trouble areas with a view to finding ready to them. Onah stated that of

importance is the management of project activities, manpower, materials as well as community

relations. Project objectivities are accomplished through execution of a number of a number of

activities; manpower planning and recruitment are grey issues. Efficient use of materials to reduce,

wastage is also good as well as planned and controlled community relations. Aggressive use of the

mass media, the traditional media is needed for project monitoring and evaluation (Arikpo, 2002).

Project Monitoring

Projects monitoring is another crucial segment in the life of any project. It also occupies

cardinal positions of any project. Project monitoring, according to Onah (2006) quoting Gasley and

Lury (1981) is the provision and use of that information to enable management to assess progress of

implementation and take timely decision to ensure that progress is maintained according to schedule.

Monitoring ensure whether project inputs are being delivered as intended and whether they are having

effects for which they were meant to attain. It is an internal and external project activities and an

essential part of good project management

Small Scale Self-Help Project Implementation Manual (2002) said that for project to witness

completion, a number of ideas are crucial. These ideas are that you should:

i. Make implementation programmes for the targets and tasks.

ii. Manage both time and people, and stagger your targets for more realistic achievement.

iii. Monitor the progress of the project implementation and if delay is noticed make immediate

efforts to solve the problems.

While Olewa (1995) said that monitoring is not a result, but a process, Ezeh (1999) and Onah (2006)

maintained that monitoring is continuous. It provides each community with minimum essential

information needed regarding the use of resources, management of activities and the targets.

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Project Evaluation

What has a beginning should have an end. Project evaluation is the end point of any project.

Ezeh (1999) and Onah (2006) maintained that evaluation could be concurrent/ongoing or summative. It

is concurrent if the work is going on or summative if it done at the end of the project. Hornby (2006)

defined evaluation as an opinion formed about amount, value or quality of something after thinking

about it carefully. Evaluation should not be conceived as a final step; rather it should be looked at as

an interactive and interrelated process that is linked with other stages.

Ezeh (1999) identified various dimensions of evaluation and said that they are pertinent in

making major decisions before embarking on an evaluation. Ezeh mentioned five dimensions of

evaluation usually represented by words: who, ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘when’, and ‘how’. The first dimension

‘who’ asks question about the different groups concerned with evaluating a project. Under this

dimension, ‘who’ would carry out the evaluation on who are interested in evaluating the project?

‘What’ should be evaluating the extent to which the project objectives have been achieved.’ Why’ asks

why should the project be evaluated or why evaluation at all. The ‘when’ dimension of evaluation

concerns itself with ‘when’ the evaluation should take place. The final dimension deals with ‘how’ of

evaluation.

In conclusion, evaluation attempts to determine as and objectively as possible the relevance,

effectiveness and impact of projects in the light of their objectives. Like monitoring, evaluation is an

on-going exercise though the project. It can be terminal if carried at the end of the project. In this way,

it will cover short and long-term failures, suggests improvements in on-going activities and provides

guidance in planning new ones. Evaluation should be a constructive interaction between interested

reviewers. Carrying out a project to completion is segmented and not a one-dose therapy. Bassey

(2002) said that projects starts with the development of guidelines or design specifications and end

when the experiment is deemed ready to test or when the experimental activity is fully operational.

The agent who beholds the attitude to community betterment must be a party in deciding the nature of

the project. Some of the contending issues in implementation of projects are changes in human beings,

gender and attitudes, literacy level and attitudes and people occupation. Ngwu (2002) advocated that a

participative approach to development project work plans and project budgets is the insurance for a

successful grassroots community development project, since each community has its own peculiarities

and needs, done in consultative sessions.

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Nature Of Participation Of Members Of The Communities in Grassroots Community

Development Projects

The analytical frameworks under which the nature of participation of the member of the

community in grassroots community projects will be discussed are as mentioned bellow;

i. Involvement

ii. . Self help efforts

iii. . Participatory approach

iv. Bottom top approach

v. . Human centered approach

One of the central principles behind the concept of sustainable development is participation.

The involvement of the people in decisions concerning them is ideal. Segall (1988), Oduaran (1994)

and McIvor (2002) maintained that people who inhabit an environment over time are often the ones

most able to make decisions about its sustainable use. Where assistance is needed, the people should

not be seen as passive recipients of the package. The people are knowledgeable and experienced. They

should be respected. Omoruyi (2001) defined participation as a process by which the beneficiaries of a

project influence the direction and execution of such projects. There should not only receive a share of

the project benefits. Ogbonna(2004) said that both policy makers and the people should establish a

participatory dialogue from planning, implementation and assessment of results. They should benefit at

the end of the project. Oyebamiji (2006) said that:

Participation is a special form of interaction and communication, one, which implies the sharing of powers. It is the active involvement of target groups in planning, implementation, design and control of programmes or projects. It enhances the likelihood that programmes and projects will prove effective in meeting the felt developmental needs, and that participants share equitably in all benefits (p. 372).

Participation can never be spontaneous if the people are not motivated. Oyebamiji (2006)

quoting Cahn and Cahn (1969) said that one way of developing motivation towards change is to

encourage a greater degree of involvement by the people in development projects. When the people are

made to be part of project plans, any problem emanating from such development effort must also be

their own. Leis (2005) quoting Hopenhayn (1998) opined that participation is linked to access to

decision making which takes into account the wishes of those affected. Participation is the desire to be

less of an object, and more of a subject. Leis said that:

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To gain control of ones own situation and one’s own aims in life by playing a part in decisions that affect the living conditions under which that situation and those aims evolve. To gain access to more and better goods and services which society could offer, but are not available through any institutional or structural mechanism. To raise the level of self-esteem through greater recognition of one’s own rights, needs and abilities (p. 121).

Participation is the pivot of integrated life. Hopenhayn (1998) said that participation is the antithesis

of authority which proclaims one pre-established populist message and presses for the consent of the

people on the basis of paternalism and the narrow neoliberal vision that preaches individualist

participation in a market, concentrating income and excluding many groups of people. Participation

demands that the people understand and follow in the subjective perceptions of projects. Bolam (2005)

maintained that effective participation should necessarily entail the sensitive design of projects to

avoid the potential stigmatization of disadvantaged individuals. Participation need to overcome

adverse public perception, especially pronounced among disadvantaged groups. Egenti (2006)

observed that participation implies people’s ability to make an input into the decision-making process.

They play a vital role in improving their quality of life.

Egenti (2006) quoting Adekola (2004) regarded participation as an “Educational” empowering

process. People in partnership with those who come to assist them, identify their needs and assume

responsibility to plan, manage, control and assess the collective actions that are necessary. The

people’s mandate is the bedrock upon which any ideas must be built upon. The concept of indigenous

participation is a cultural phenomenon. Okunola (2002) said that the goal of community development

is participation by the people in matters which affect their lives. Nnadozie and Ngwu (2002) said that

participation is community-based, if the people follow to plan, execute, utilize and assess the project

designed for them. The Manual of Poverty Reduction /State Empowerment and Development Strategy

(2004) referring to the outcome of a workshop with the United Kingdom Department for International

Development (DFID) asserted that developing plans, policies and strategies without consultation with

the different stakeholders often lead to failure. Plans made without consultation do not reflect

knowledge of the local environment. Self-help efforts through which local communities provide social

amenities had their genesis in Africa (Ewhrudjakpor and Ojie, 2005). They said that could be physical

and nonphysical. Its emphasis is on self-help projects geared towards uplifting the welfare of the

population. The people must discover what their problem is and then seek of solving it. Abiona (2006)

said that citizen participation involve the people taking active part in discussions and taking part in

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decisions affecting them. The people should identify resources in the community and them for their

benefit.

Participation is both a learning process and a skill that can be attained. The International Council for

Adult Education, ICAE (2006) advocated that educational programme enhances the power of

individuals to take part effectively in the life of their community, state or nation. Information brings

transformation. Anyanwu (1992)) noted that:

The success of development projects has to come both from the people themselves and from government authorities. The community itself has to learn to realize and express its particular needs for development, while executive planning must be based on the needs rather than on programmes laid down from some more remote sources, likely to evoke the enthusiasm of the people to secure their active participation. The people should be given the opportunity to learn to participate in the working out of plans which affect them at whatever level (p. 67).

Anyanwu (1986) and Oduaran (1994) said that citizen participation is a means by which human

efforts are helped to pursue the frequent interchanges of energies and satisfactions for the immediate

growth of communities and the ultimate growth of society. Citizen participation is rooted in the

principle that man is in the best position to understand and accept those actions in which he has

participated in originating. Agunwamba (1995) said that the level of community participation needs

improvement. Communities should not think that they are recipients of benefits. They should to an

active part in the direction and execution of the projects.

The people can do it. Development approaches, according to Hines (1998) are shifting from a

focus on centralized planning and management by government services to more community based

involvement. Development initiative should be grassroots in nature. The thinking should come from

the people. Donors should not impose their will on the people. Participatory planning is also

recommended. Participatory planning as stated by the Food and Agricultural Organizations-F.A.O

(1990) is a process of collective decision making by partners. In a village project they can use

resources and plan activities to reach a specific objective. The involvement of people in research starts

with identifying the problem. It is a learning process.

Ugwuzor (2000) quoting the World Health Organizations-WHO defined participatory research

as a process of investigation carried out by researchers for data collection and learning. It is action-

oriented. It relies on the involvement of key-group of people to reflect on the concerns of a wide range

of people. Monitoring and evaluation (M and E) is an integral part of projects. People are actively

xliii

involved in determining whether activities are done according to plan. People are more responsible if

they are involved in a task. Garland (2004) stated that participation goes hand in hand with

responsibility. Distinguish the functions of the various stakeholders involved. Spell out participants’

material or financial contribution to the process. This can be in eorm of services, fund and materials. It

will make them feel relevant.

Egenti (2006) quoting Paul (1987) and Simmons (1994) said that the participation process not

only depicts beneficiaries of projects influence the direction and execution, but also relates to the

ability of a people to control and manage resources. Egenti (2006) citing Ekong(1988) noted that

participation is a process of playing active / direct role in community through group actions. They can

give financial contributions.People take delight in any venture that would bring good fortunes. Obasi

(2002) said that the concept of participatory approach connotes the active involvement of the people in

the planning and execution of programmes and projects that would benefit them. Obasi warned that

even though that the Bottom Top Approach (BTA) may be rigorous, it will bring many gains.

Participation should be gender friendly. Nwizu (2002) maintained that participation in

community is not restricted to men alone, women are also involved. Women are prime movers in the

communities. There is the need to determine the type of task that women will be expected to do. The

more tasking jobs should be done by the males, while the women folk should do menial job duties.

And that the women do less strenuous duties does not make them less contributors. Nnadozie and

Ngwu (2002) citing Gajanayake and Gajanayake(1993) said that participation in community provides

an effective means of mobilizing local resources. Their wealth of experiences is worthwhile. Out of

sight could be out of mind. Okoye (2002) citing Leecary (1970) , and Dara and Mars(1981) pointed

out that the active participation of citizens should be as inclusive. There are felt need, citizen’s

involvement, community authorization and self-help/determination.

Agunwamba (1995) said that in government-funded projects, participation is very crucial. He

maintained that gaining community acceptance and support require a series of motivational efforts in

the community. No man has the singular monopoly of all knowledge. Eya (2002) opined that all

stakeholders should act together in suitably defined roles. Participation should be based on human

rights, since human rights are an essential part of development. Ekom (2002) wondered why the

concept of participation and human-centeredness in development paradigms, is yet to be fully

approached and appreciated by development practitioners. The relevance of participation in

community development can never be over-emphasized. Bullem ((2002) citing Iheazu(2001) stated

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that sustainable development can be achieved through popular participation through appropriate

education programmes

In conclusion, community participation, therefore, emanates right from decision making

through implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The actions and decisions as above become more

effective when the accredited, trustworthy and dependable representative of the different groupings and

classes in the community take them.

Factors Militating Against Effective Grassroots Community Development Projects

The analytical framework under which this section is going to be discussed are:

i. Exclusion and apathy to change

ii. Illiteracy

iii. Non-inclusion in the benefit

iv. Inappropriate communication network

v. Non-consultation/top-down approach

vi. The activities of the enlightened members of the society

vii. Poor networking

viii . Poor mobilization and

ix. Lack of basic social amenities

Launching a new project may result in some disruption of a delicate balance that exists among

various authorities in the communities. Esenjor (1992) and Rothmann, Ertich and Thopman (1995)

opined that while some members may feel that they were sidelined, others may see the new project as a

challenge. When this happens, vigorous enlightenment must be put in place in order to eradicate anti-

attitudes. Itari (2002) said that adequate enlightenment campaigns with the sole aim of sensitizing the

people towards participation at all levels of planning, evaluation and implementation is right. It would

ensure that the achievement of stated aims and objectives are met. Illiteracy is another problem against

the proper implementation of grassroots projects. It is, he who feels, knows it. Lack of education is

illiteracy. Esenjor (1992) and Arikpo (2002) identified illiteracy as being responsible for poor

conditions of living. Education is the bedrock of human understanding. Most of the problems we have

are the result of lack of education. Illiteracy gives room to lack of self awareness, lack of liberty or lack

of self worth. Education is necessary in order to improve our projects aimed at improving the living

conditions of the people.

xlv

It is wrong to rob Peter to pay Paul. Galbraith (1968) in Bassey (2002) asserted that if

development is depended on popular participation, then there must be a system of popular rewards as

no man will bend his energies for the enrichment of someone else. When funds contributed by

everybody for a project is diverted people tend to show little or no interest when called upon for other

projects.On the other hand, inappropriate communication strategies may be a problem besetting

projects. Oreh and Obasi (2008) lamented that even though rural women have always remained the

invisible partners in development agenda their world in these developing nations have been a world of

subordination, subjugation and discrimination. There is need for necessary information for all

concerned. This is needed to make them aware of their despicable situation that would energize them

to react positively due to inappropriate communication strategies used in development programmes.

Moreover, when the people are not consulted before giving them goods and services, it does

not go down well with the people. Chukwuezi (2000) and Ekom (2002) referred to the approach where

the people may not be consulted in the planning and implementation process of project as an example

of social planning model better called top-down approach. When development initiative takes the top-

down approach without the involvement of the target population in the decision making process of the

needs identification and project design, the people may not participate effectively and there is the

danger that the outsider planners may not understand the social structure of the community in question.

If this happen, the project may be bedeviled by poor participation, intrigues and confrontation. Rather

than top-down approach, bottom-top model is better, in order to make active participants than

benefactors.

All the same, the problem of the pro-capitalist, elitist or the moneybags, who have often

exploited the ignorance of the poor to mismanage the resources meant for community improvement, is

a case in point. This happen, because the development agents may not understand the need to organize

beneficiary groups into associational groups with people of identical background. In addition,

communication strategy that limits community engagement to community elites also does not spell

well for communication (Wiig and Ramalho, 2005).

In another dimension, the obstacles to participation in grassroots community development

projects could come from the structure, funding and administrative set up of the agency implement the

projects. Esenjor (1992) decried a situation whereby the attitude of some agency staff who often

assume that they know best how things should be done and tend to ignore the suggestions coming from

the local population. Esenjor maintained that this ruin participation. Continuing, the author cautioned

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that the involvement of the local people in development often require taking a deliberate decision on

whether to use existing social structures or not, as the local community is composed of different groups

and class, with a distinct authority structure.

Moreover, Omoruyi (2001) opined that the success or failure of any grassroots community

development projects is dependent on the massive and individual involvement or commitment of the

people and the wholesale use of all available community resources for the settlement of the people’s

problem. Efforts should be geared towards awareness, good leadership, patriotic spirit and getting

education that will help to liberate one from the shackles of dependency and subjugation. All the same,

Chukwuezi (2000) mentioned mobilization, grassroots participation, social infrastructure, community

conflict/bickering and ecological disaster as problems that could mar grassroots community

development projects. Ecological disaster in form of oil production, erosion and landslides has

adversely affected the development efforts of the people. Bickering in the community spells doom to

grassroots initiative. Conflicts can pull down the pace of grassroots efforts. It can become the agents of

destruction of human lives and property, and some in protracted war. Communities who do not have

basic social amenities like water, electricity, hospitals, roads, health facilities will be hard to be

convinced what grassroots community development projects are all about. There is need for grassroots

participation. For active grassroots participation of the various communities in development, there is

need to decentralize power in the local government structure, as part of the local government function

is to penetrate to the grassroots.

Theoretical Framework

The role of theory in social inquiry is to bring to the fore instructive explanation for

conceptualizing, classifying and defining social phenomenon. Ali (2006) stated that a theory is a set of

interrelated constructs, definitions and proposition among variables with the purpose of explaining and

predicting a phenomenon. It also explains how some sets of concepts fit together in a way that offers

an answer to a question. For the purpose of this study, therefore, the researcher adopts dependency

theory and ecological theory to explain the perception of the people on the grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State.

Dependency Theory: Dependency theory was propounded in the early 1900s by the third world social

scientists arguing in opposite direction to modernization view on development. The dependency theory

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affirms that development and underdevelopment constitute a system that generates economy for the

few but highly industrialized nations of the world and poverty for the underdeveloped nations.

While Andre Gunder Frank, a Chicago / German economist popularized dependency theory.

The dependency theorists like Frank agued that the poverty of low income countries stems from their

exploration by wealthy countries and the multinational corporations that are owed and based in

wealthy countries. Accordingly, these global companies, often with the support of the powerful banks

and governments of rich countries, established factories in poor countries, using cheap labour and raw

materials to maximize production costs production costs. In turn, the low prices set for labour and raw

materials prevented poor nations from accumulating the profits necessary to industrialize themselves.

The theory is asymmetric in application. The unequal relationship that exists between the developed

and undeveloped nations in terms of improvement is abysmally uneven; and this is the reason for

underdevelopment of countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

However, the Brazilian Sociologist Enrique Fernando Cardoso, argued that some degree of

dependent development nonetheless is possible. He maintained that under certain circumstances poor

countries can still develop economically, although only in ways shaped by their reliance on the

wealthier nations. In particular, the governments of these nations could play a key role in steering a

course between dependency and development. The major contribution of dependency theory was that it

drew attention to the international dimension of development and brought the power relations between

states under scrutiny. Also the emergence of the newly industrializing countries (NICs) as a group of

successful late developers give credence to the fact that successful late industrialization is possible

under certain guided and directed actions by the stake holders.

Ecological Theory

Ecological theories emerged from the premise that administrative institutions in the developing

nations are weak, thereby being incapable of developing their communities, as a result of ecological

constraints that impinge on them. Ecological theory was a brainchild of Fred Riggs in the 1960 (Okoli,

2004). Some contend that this failure stems from the coloring of values and structures by the alien

modern ones and indigenous ones. While some argue that it is tradition that perverts modernity, others

admit that modernity should be held responsible, yet others posit that it is neither, but rather a hybrid of

tradition and modernity. Riggs rejects the prevailing dichotomous classification of tradition –

modernity, and maintains that it leaves out of the scene a bulk of societies that cannot in any concrete

xlviii

sense be included in either of the continuum. Riggs theory reveals that a society that could be ideal in

foreign or educated society, is prismatic as against transitional. Riggs preferred prismatic and said that

lights in emerging nations get imprisoned and developing societies are destined to be subdued, as

against transitional societies which would eventually be exactly like the developed societies. Studies

by C. S. Whitaker Jnr., in Northern Nigeria proved that the traditional structures in the emirates were

effectively reinforced by the modern structures resulting in the formidable position of the traditional

North in issues bordering the nation at large.

Relevance Of Dependency And Ecological Theories To Grassroots Community Projects

The dependency theories is a set of theories which maintained that the failure of ‘Third World

States to achieve adequate and sustainable levels of development resulted from their being doomed to

stagnation because the surplus it provided were appropriated by the advanced capitalist nations through

agencies such as transnational corporations. These powerful nations have indeed plundered small

nations (Akin, 2001).

Ecological theory posits that administrative institutions have not utilized it machineries to

improve the condition of citizens. Rather than inter marry tradition with modernity, a prismatic

condition was maintained thereby imprisoning the small nations by big nations.

Based on the above postulations, there seem to be no positive collaborative relationship

between perceptions of grassroots community projects in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State and these

theories as the principles of dependency theory and ecological theory undermines the growth and

development of developing communities or exploits the resource that abound in tradition communities

without paying much for it and there is no marriage of tradition and modernity that would be of

benefit.

However this study while partly in agreement with the above assertion still holds that no nation

can develop in isolation. One must need the other to stand. Communities can make use of or borrow

experts’ advice where necessary. The people through effective partnership and participation with other

communities can succeed. The human and material resources in the community should be reasonably

and maximally made use of in order to cause projects conception and completion, so that the living

conditions of the people could improve. Also, grassroots community projects can be completed if our

leaders assume a positive rebranded status, and stop sharp practices while holding public office but

rather use political positions as instruments for developing the communities. According to Afrik (1998)

xlix

when partnerships are effective, they can contribute to the best use of existing resources or provide

better managed financial, materials and human resources that would ensure grassroots community

projects realization. For example, the four partners at the Jomtien World Conference on Basic

Education – World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF and UNDEP – Offer an occasion for a major

partnership which governments have decentralized to the grassroots level in African Counties under

the poverty alleviation programme. Also, Omoruyi (2001) stated that participation is a process by

which the beneficiaries of a development project influence the direction and execution of such projects

rather than receiving merely a share of the project benefits.

In conclusion, there is need for tradition and modernity to collaborate in order to develop new

horizon.

Empirical Studies

This section will for analytical convenience discuss the works of Umeh (1995), Okonkwo

(1999), Onwuka (2004), Anyanebechi (1999), Omeje (1999) and Afuruobi (2001).

Umeh (1995) studied Self–Help Projects: A case study of Osina-Ideato North LGA, of Imo

State. The main purpose of the study was to find out the nature of people’s perception of participation

in self–help projects in Osina-Ideato North LGA, of Imo State. With a population of one thousand, and

a sample of 250 members of Osina Town Unions, representing 25% of the population, the respondents

for the study were chosen by simple random sampling technique.

The findings of the study revealed that self-help community development projects, as perceived

by members of Osina Town Union may work well, if there are village conflicts, non-involvement of

women, mass illiteracy and inadequate mobilization.

Although, this work studied self-help projects in Osina-Ideato North LGA, of Imo State, it has

relevance to the present study, especially as it concern citizens involvement and participation.

Okonkwo (1999) conducts a study on Mobilization for Community Development: The Policy

and Implementation Context, in Njikoka LGA, of Anambra State. The study was to find out how rural

people of Njikoka local government area were mobilized for community development. To illicit data, a

simple random sampling technique was used. The sample for this particular study was 150, which

represent about 25% of the total population. The researcher analyzed the data collected using simple

percentages, multiple response and weighted mean of responses to the question.

l

The finding of the study reveals that the strategies for community development mobilization

could come through mass media, people’s participation, popular theatre and community education.

Onwuka (2004) studied the Problems of Educational Planning in Anambra State. The broad

purpose of the study was to find out the problems of educational planning in Anambra State. Five

research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A questionnaire, which was

the main instrument of the study was developed and administered to 150 staff members of the Ministry

of Education with university degree. The whole population was used for the study because of the small

number and as such, there was no sampling. The instrument was built on a 4 point rating scale and the

items were 20 in number and were treated under 5 clusters.

Generally, the result of the study showed that prompt timing, use of non-experts, non-

involvement of the people and lack of dedicated members in the planning can pose as problem to

effective planning.

The study, though on problems of educational planning in Anambra state has relevance to the present

study especially on the area of planning process of grassroots road and other community development

projects.

Anyanebechi (1999) conduct a study on the strategies for effective implementation of

community development projects/programme in Dunukofia LGA of Anambra State. The study was

meant to find out the strategies for effective implementation of community development in Dunukofia

LGA of Anambra State. To obtain data, balloting was used to select two hundred members of the

population representing 25%. Also, simple percentage was employed to analyze the result.

The findings of the study reveals that the strategies for effective implementation of CD projects

are mobilization, self-help, government projects in the community, community organization and direct

labour.

Omeje (1999) did a research on a survey of community participation in the water project in

Uhunowere in Igbo-Eze South LGA of Enugu State. The study was to assess the nature and extent of

Uhunowere community participation in the water project. The researcher sampled one hundred (106)

which represents one third (1/3) of the members of the community employing questionnaires and

structured oral interview to collect data.

The findings of this study asserts that the members of the community can participation in CD

project through donation of money and material, participating in labour, paying levies, through adult

li

education process, involving the people in project identification, planning and implementation, and

evaluation.

Afuruobi (2001) conducts a study on the factors inhibiting against CD in Isuochi, Umunneochi

LGA of Abia State. The main purpose of the study was to examine the factor that militates against CD

efforts in Isuochi, Umunneochi LGA of Abia State. To obtain data, a simple random sampling method,

frequency, percentage and weighted mean were used with the sample of two hundred.

The findings of the study reveals that among the factors inhibiting CD efforts are poor

leadership, poor communication, lack/inadequate fund, imposition of development project on the

people, poor mobility, lack of government interest, inadequate trained development personnel and

inadequate logistics.

Summary Of The Literature Review.

While the researcher reviewed relevant literatures on this study, important issues were

highlighted which are summarized bellow.

Strategies for mobilizing people for grassroots community development projects include

creating awareness through traditional or mass media and the use of cinema or seminar. Other effective

means include using the services of traditional institution, employing the services of town unions and

community-based organization and also involving influential members of the community.

The effective procedure of planning grassroots community projects are prioritizing the needs of

the people, listing the methods of achieving the objectives of the projects, allowing people to

determine time and duration of completion and assuring people’s trust through free flow of

communication. Other procedures include getting materials for project before commencement,

involving the people in project formulation and making provision for emergency.

The ways of implementing grassroots community projects involves allowing community

members to take active part during project implementation, evaluation, group work, use of resources in

the community and handling a project at a time, while expert advice or outside aid may be needed.

Participation in grassroots community projects entails involving the people in the decision

making process, planning, execution, utilization and assessment. Also people can donate or pay project

levy and use their resources to champion the project.

The review also identified factors militating against effective grassroots community project to

include people non-involvement, conflict, embezzlement of project fund, unwillingness to participate

lii

and inadequate mobilization strategy. Other factors include women exclusion, unprioritized needs,

poor leadership, inadequate finance and materials and outside interference.

The review finally showed that there are many materials on community development project in

general but very scarce and scanty in relation to people’s perception of grassroots community projects

in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State. However, the available ones were adopted and reviewed as

shown.

liii

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the following subheadings: design of the study; area of the study,

population, sample and sampling technique, research instrument, procedure for data collection and

method of data analysis.

Design Of The Study

The design of the study is descriptive survey, which will be used to asses the perceptions of

Grassroots Community Development Projects in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State. Ezeh (2005) Ali

(2006) and Nworgu (2006) indicated that descriptive survey designs aim at collecting data on, and

describing in a systematic manner, the characteristics, features or facts about a given population, as

they are without any manipulation of what caused the event or what is being observed.

Area Of The Study.

The geographical area of the study is Ezza South LGA, of Ebonyi State. The headquarter of

Ezza LGA is located at Onueke Ezza, which is the ancestral capital of Ezza people. The present Ezza

South LGA since 1976 local government reform has undergone several structural and political

changes. It was formally known as Ezzikwo County Council and later Ezzikwo Division when Ezza

and Ikwo people were together. But after 1976 Local Government Reform, Ikwo people became Ikwo

LGA while Ezza became Ezza LGA. In 1996, when Ebonyi State was carved from the present Enugu

and Abia State, Ezza LAG was further divided into two; Ezza South and Ezza North. While Ezza

North LGA has her headquarter at Ebiaji, Ezza South LGA has her headquarter at Onueke Ezza.

Furthermore, between 2007 and 2008 five development centers were carried out from the present Ezza

South L.G.A. These development centers are Ezza South, Ezzama, Ezza East, Ameka and Ezza South

East.

In Ezza South LGA, there are twelve autonomous communities: Ezzama, Nsokkara, Ameka,

Amuzu, Amagu, Echara, Ikwuato, Okoffia, Umunwagu, Amudo, Amana, and Amaezekwe. Ezza

people are highly agricultural people and they produce such food items as rice, vegetable, yam,

cocoyam, sweet potato, plantain, cassava and fruits. They also produce native mats, axe, digger, hoe,

and other metal works. It is in Ezza South LGA that the popular Eke Imoohaa market situates.

liv

Ezza South is one of the thirteen LGA’S in Ebonyi State and it is centrally located in Ebonyi

Central Senatorial Zone. Ezza South LGA, share common boundaries with Ikwo, Izzi, Ezza North and

Onicha LGA’s of Ebonyi State.

Population Of The Study

The population of this study consists of 4020 women and men who are members of town

unions in the 12 communities that make up Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State.

Table 3.1: Distribution of Women and Men members of Town Unions in the twelve communities

of Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State

Communities Town Union

Women

Town Union

Men

Population

Amaezekwe 102 214 316

Amagu 125 190 315

Amana 90 131 221

Ameka 160 226 386

Amudo 190 151 341

Amuzu 111 191 302

Echara 100 190 290

Ezzama 194 204 398

Ikwuato 87 289 376

Nsokkara 125 239 364

Okoffia 201 119 320

Umunwagu 181 210 391

Total 1666 2354 4020

Source: Ezza South LGA Welfare Office, Onueke

Sample and Sampling Techniques

The sample of this study is 510 men and women who are members of the town union in the 12

communities in Ezza South LGA. It is in line with the concept of sample which according to Ezeh

(2005) is the segment of the population which is systematically selected to represent the population, in

lv

the expectation that results obtained from the study of the sample would be good estimate of the

characteristics of the entire population it represents.

In drawing the sample, names of the 12 communities were written on slips, folded and put in a

container. After a thorough shuffling the researcher will deep his hand and pick six communities out of

the 12 communities that make up Ezza South LGA in a repeated procedure. Furthermore, multi-stage

sampling technique will be employed in drawing the sample. Hence, 510 members of the town unions

from the sampled six communities therefore will constitute the sample. This represents 25% of the

entire members of town unions in the sampled six communities in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State.

Table 3:2 Sampled members of the Town Unions of the six communities in Ezza South LGA of

Ebonyi State

Community Population Sample

Ezzama 398 100

Ikwuato 376 94

Ameka 386 97

Amudo 341 85

Amaezekwe 316 79

Amana 221 55

Total 2038 510

Instrument for Data Collection

The researcher will use structured questionnaire to collect data for this study. It is designed in

two sections. Section “A” elicits information on the demographic characteristics of the respondents;

section “B” elicits information on the basis of the research questions. The questionnaire is

composed of thirty-seven items with a four point rating scale.

Validation Of The Instrument

Copies of the questionnaire were given to the researcher’s supervisor and two other experts in

community Development and Measurement and Evaluation respectively, for face validation. The

copies of the questionnaire were given to them along with the research questions, title of the study,

purpose of the study and research hypotheses, to enable them check whether the items in the

lvi

questionnaire were appropriate to answer the research question and test the hypotheses and to make

inputs in the areas of construction and language.

Based on their intellectual inputs, corrections were made and the number of items in the

questionnaire was reduced from seventy two (72) to thirty-seven (37) and hypotheses from six to three.

Reliability Of The Instrument

Before the final distribution of the questionnaire, a trial test was conducted with twenty (20)

age grade members of Umuezeoka community in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State, which are not

part of this study. This was done because the group has similar characteristics with the sample of the

study. The data collected from the questionnaire were collated and analyzed using Cronbach Alpha and

this yielded reliability co-efficient of 0.92, 0.87, 0.77, 0.84, 0.76, and 0.82 for research questions one

to six respectively. These gave a grand reliability score of 0.88 indicating that various clusters for the

instruments were reliable (see Appendix D)

Procedure For Data Collection

The researcher will employ the face-to-face method of questionnaire administration and train

three research assistants to help him administer the questionnaire on the last week-ends of the months

in which each of the sampled communities hold their Town Union general monthly meeting. The

researcher and the research assistants will collect the questionnaire from the respondents’ at the most

convenient time, which will not be more than four weeks interval.

Method Of Data Analysis

In analyzing the data, the researcher will use percentages, weighted mean and t-test statistical

tools. Simple percentages will be used to analyze the `demographic characteristics. The formula for

percentage is

where F= frequency, N = No of respondents.

Weighted mean will be employed to analyze research questions one through six. The formula for

weighted mean is where F= frequency for choosing options;

F 100 N 1

X

N FW

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W = weights assigned to option and N = Total number of respondents. To calculate the mean weight,

the frequency for choosing each option is multiplied by the frequency, weight assigned to the option

and divided by the total number of respondents.

Likert type of rating scale is adopted to measure the degree of responses and points were

assigned to the degrees of responses as follows.

To Very Great Extent (TVGE) 4points

To Great Extent (TGE) 3points

To Little Extent (TLE) 2points

To Very Little Extent (TVLE) 1point

Total 10 points

Therefore, using the fair point rating scale, X = Ex= 4+3+2+1=10 =2.5

Any response therefore with a mean rating of 2.5 and above is considered acceptable while mean

ratings below 2.5 are regarded not acceptable. T-test will be used to analyze null hypotheses one and

two. The formula for t-test is

2

22

1

21

21

nSx

nS

XXt

Ni n2, where

X1 = the mean of group A

X2 = the mean of group B 2

1S = squares of standard deviation of group A

2

2S = squares of standard deviation of group B

N1= the number in group A

N2= the number in group B

In analyzing the hypotheses, the t-test will be tested at 0.05 level of significance.

lviii

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

This chapter presents and analyses data collected through the research instrument. The data are

presented according to the order of the five research questions, and three hypotheses that guided the

study.

4.0 Demographic Characteristics Of The Respondents

Table 4.1 Ages Of The Respondents.

Age Range Frequency Percentage (%)

19 – 25 75 15

26 – 35 56 11

36 – 45 204 40

46 – 55 113 22

55 and above 62 12

Total 510 100

Table 4.1 shows the ages of the respondents. The analysis shows that 75 or 15% of the

respondents are between the ages of 19 – 25 years, 56 or 11% are between 26 – 35 years, 204 or 40%

are between 36 – 45 years, 113 or 22% are between 45 and 55 years while 62 or 12% are between 56

years and above.

It can be seen form the table that majority of the respondents are between 36 and 45 years of

age.

Table 4.2 Marital Status Of The Respondents

Marital status Frequency Percentage (%)

Single 34 7

Married 443 87

Widowed 32 6

Divorced 1 0.2

Total 510 100

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Table 4.2 shows that marital status of the respondents. The analysis shows that 34 or 7% of the

respondents are singles, 443 or 87% of the respondents are married, 32 or 6% of the respondents are

widowed while 1 or 0.2% of the respondents are divorced. It shows that majorities of respondents are

married as can be seen from table 4.

Table 4.3 Educational Qualifications Of The Respondents

Educational Qualification Frequency Percentage (%)

None 92 18

FSLC 141 28

Junior WAEC 92 18

Senior School Certificate/

NECO/GCE

82 16

PTC/TCII 25 5

Diploma/NCE 26 5

HND/Degree 52 10

Total 510 100

Table 4.3 shows the educational qualifications of the respondents. The analysis shows that 92 or 18%

of the respondents have no educational certificates, 141 or 28% of the respondents have FSLC, 92 or

18% of the respondents have Junior WAEC, 82 or 16% of the respondents have SSC/NECO/GCE 25

or 5% of the respondents have PTC/TCII, 26 or 5% of the respondents have Diploma/NCE, while 52

or 10% of the respondents have HND/Degree. Thus from the table majorities of the respondents are

FSLC holders.

Table 4.4 Occupations Of The Respondents

Occupation Frequency Percent (%)

Farming 100 20

Trading 272 53

Paid labor 78 15

Craft work 25 5

Civil service 21 4

Public service 3 1

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Religious 11 2

Total 510 100

Table 4.4 above shows the occupations of the respondents. The analysis shows that 100 or 20% of

the respondents are farmers, 272 or 53% of the respondents are traders, 78 or 15% of the respondent

are craft workers, 21 or 4% of the respondents are civil servants, 3 or 1% of the respondents are public

servants while 11 or 2% of the respondents are religious workers. It shows that majority of the

respondents are traders as can be seen from the table 6.

Table 4.5 Religions Of The Respondents

Religion Frequency Percent (%)

Christianity 362 71

African traditional Religion 142 28

Others 6 1

Total 510 100

Table 4.5 shows religions of the respondents. The analysis shows that 362 or 71% of the respondents

are Christians, 142 or 28% of the respondents are African Traditional Religious worshippers while 6 or

1% of the respondents are people who are neither Christians or ATR. It can be seen from table 6 that

majority of the respondents are Christians.

SECTION B:

4.2 Research Question Two: What are the Strategies used for Mobilizing People For

Grassroots Community Development Project in Ezza South L.G.A?

The responses to this research question are presented in the table below.

Table 4.6 Strategies For Mobilizing People For Grassroots Community Development Projects.

S/N Item Total weight

Mean score

Rank order

6. Using the services of traditional leaders and cabinets 510 3.37 1

7. Employing the services of town unions and community-based

organizations in the community

508 2.63 4

8. Awareness creation through mass/traditional media 508 2.55 5

9. Sensitizing community members through seminar/cinema 510 3.13 3

10. Involving influential members in the community to help in 510 3.22 2

lxi

awareness creation

Table 4.6 above presents the various views of the respondents on the strategies used for mobilizing

people for grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State. From

the analysis: using the services of traditional leaders and cabinets has the highest score with a mean of

3.37, followed by involving influential members of the community to help in awareness creation with a

mean score of 3.22. The next in the rank is sensitizing community members through seminar and the

use of cinema with a means of 3.13. Others are employing the services of town unions and community

based organizations in the community 2.63, and awareness creation through mass/traditional media

2.55.

Based on the means cut-off of 2.5 and above, the respondents rated the various strategies for

mobilizing people grassroots community development projects as effective.

4.3 Research Question Three: What are the Procedures For Planning Grassroots

Community Development Projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

The answer to this research question can be seen in table 9 below.

Table 4.7 Mean Respondents on The Procedure For Planning GRCDP.

S/N Item Total

weight

Mean

score

Rank

order

11. Prioritizing the needs of the community 510 3.12 3

12. Listening methods of achieving projects objective 510 3.22 2

13. Allowing people to determine time and duration of

implementing the projects

510 2.60 4

14. Making a list and gelling resources for the project

implementation

509 2.53 6

15. Making provisions for emergency situation 510 3.40 1

16. Involving the people in the projects formulation 509 2.45 7

17. Ensuring people’s trust through free flow of communication. 506 2.60 4

Table 4.7 above present the weighted mean score indicating respondents’ responses to the procedure

for planning grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State as

follows: making provisions for emergency situations has the highest mean score of 3.40, listing

methods of achieving projects objectives 3.22, prioritizing the needs of the community 3.12 while

lxii

allowing people to determine time and duration of implementing the project and ensuring people’s

trust through free flow of communication each has 2.60. Making a list and getting resources for the

project implementation 2.53.

Based on the mean cut-off of 2.5 and above, the respondents rated the various procedures for

planning grassroots community development projects as worthwhile with the exception of involving

the people in the projects formulation.

4.4 Research Question Four: What Are The Effective Ways Involved in The

Implementation For Grassroots Community Development Projects in Ezza South L.G.A of

Ebonyi State?

The respondents to this research questions is presented in the table below.

Table 4.8 Effective Ways Of Implementing Grassroots Community Development Projects.

S/N Item Total

weight

Mean

score

Rank

order

18. Allowing community members to take part during project

implementation

508 2.63 6

19. Allowing various groups in the community to work together 509 3.21 4

20. Making use of resources in the community 509 2.92 5

21. Making use of expert advice 509 3.22 2

22. Help from outside the community may be needed 509 3.25 1

23. Allowing one project tot be handled at a time 509 3.22 2

Table 4.8 above presents the views of the respondents on the effective ways of implementing

grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A. of Ebony State. Help from outside

the community may be needed has the highest mean score of 3.25 followed by making use of expert

advice and allowing one project to be handled at a time with a mean score 3.22 each. Allowing various

groups in the community to work together 3.21, making sue of resources in the community 2.92, while

allowing community members to take part during project implementation has a mean score of 2.63.

The analysis in table 10 shows that all the effective ways of implementing grassroots

community development projects scored above the mean score of 2.5. Thus, this indicates that there

lxiii

are unlimited ways grassroots community development projects can be implemented in Ezza South

L.G.A of Ebony State.

4.5 Research Question Five: What Are The Natures Of Participation Of Community

Members in Grassroots Community Development Project in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State?

The answer to this question can be seen in table 11 below.

Table 4.9 Nature Of Participation Of Community Members in Grassroots Community Projects

S/N Item Total

weight

Mean

score

Rank

order

24. Involving people in the decision making processes and need

selection

509 3.34 1

25. Allowing people offer free services 509 3.20 2

26. Involving people in planning, assessment, utilization and

execution of projects.

509 2.91 4

27. Making people to budget and pay project levy 507 3.12 3

28. Allowing resources to be provided by the people 507 2.43 5

29. Making people donate to the project. 509 2.32 6

Table 4.9 above presents the views of the respondents about the nature of participation of

community members in grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A. of Ebonyi.

Involving people in the decision making processes and need selection scored the highest with a mean

score of 3.34, followed by allowing people offer free services which have a mean score of 3.20.

Making people to budget and pay project levy scored 3.12 while involving people in planning,

assessment, utilization and execution of projects scored 2.91.

Based on the mean cut-off of 2.5, it can be seen that allowing resources to be provided by the

people and making people donate to the project scored less 2.5 mean score.

4.6 Research Question Six: What Are The Factors Militating Against Effective

Grassroots Community Development Projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State?

The answer to this research question can be seen in table 4.10 below.

lxiv

Table 4.10 The Factors Militating Against Effective Implementation Of Grassroots

Community Development Projects

S/N Item Total weight

Mean score

Rank order

30. Non involvement of community members in the design and implementation of projects.

509 2.62 7

31. Conflicts among leaders and lack of unity due to natural disasters

509 3.19 1

32. Use of impropriate communication network in mobilization 510 3.09 2 33. Poor targeting of projects due to poor leadership 510 2.80 6 34. Unwillingness of the community members to participate in

the project 510 2.99 3

35. Embezzlement of project fund and diversion of project items 510 2.92 4 36. Inadequate finance and materials 510 2.90 5 37. Government lip service to the people 510 2.52 8

The table 4.10 above presents the views of the respondents on the factors militating against effective

implementation of grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

Conflicts among leaders and lack of unity due to natural disasters scored highest with a mean of 3.19,

followed by use of inappropriate communication network in mobilization with a mean of 3.09,

unwillingness of the community members to participate in community projects with a mean of 2.99

while embezzlement of projects fund and diversion of project items scored 2.92. Inadequate finance

and materials 2.90, poor targeting of projects due to poor leadership 2.80, non involvement of

community members in the design and implementation of projects 2.62 and government lip service to

the people bagged a mean of 2.52.

The analysis in table 12 show that all the factors militating against effective implementation of

grassroots community development projects scored well above the mean of 2.5. By this, therefore all

the factors militating against effective implementation of grassroots community development projects

are accepted.

4.7 Hypothesis One: There is no significant difference in the mean responses of the men and

women on the people’s perception of the effective procedure of planning grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South L.G.A.

Table 4.11 T-test Analysis Of Responses Of The (510) Men And Women On Their Perception Of The

Effective Procedure Of Planning Grassroots Community Development Projects

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Men Women S/N Item Mean SD1 N Mean SD2 N Sign value Decision 11. Prioritizing the needs of

the community 305 0.92 259 3.24 0.81 205 0.21 No

significance 12. Listing methods of

achieving the objectives of the projects

3.21 0.87 259 3.28 0.91 205 0.40 N. S

13. Allowing people to determine time and duration of implementing the project

2.57

1.16

259

2.64

1.23

205

0.54

N. S

14 Making a list and getting resources for the project implementation

2.39

1.11

258

2.58

1.20

205

0.44

No significance

15. Making provision for emergency situation

3.36

0.80

259

3.46

0.74

205

0.19

N. S.

16. Involving the people in the project formulation

2.40

1.08

258

2.52

1.12

205

0.25

N. S.

17. Ensuring people’s trust through free flow of communication

2.55

0.85

256

2.67

0.86

204

0.13

N. S.

The data on the 4.11 above show that the significance values of items 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are

0.21. 0.40. 0.54, 0.44, 0.19, 0.25 and 0.13 respectively. Since the significance value of each of the item

is greater than 0.05 level of significance, the null hypothesis is not rejected for all the items. This means

that there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of the male and female members of the

community on the effective procedure of planning grassroots community development projects in Ezza

South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

4.8 Hypothesis Two: There is no significant difference between the mean responses of the male and

female of the community on the people’s perception of the various ways of implementing grassroots

community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A.

Table 4.12 T-test Analysis Of Responses Of Men And Women On People’s Perception Of

The Various Ways Of Implementing Grassroots Community Development Projects in Ezza South

L.G.A Of Ebonyi State.

Men Women

lxvi

S/N Item Mean SD1 N Mean SD2 N Significant

value

Decision

18. Allowing community members

to take active part during

2.59

0.82

257

2.69

.083

205

0.19

Accept

19. Allowing various groups in the

community to work together

3.13

0.88

258

3.30

.80

205

0.31

Accept

20. Making use of resources in the

community.

2.86

0.99

258

3.00

1.00

205

0.16

Accept

21. Making use of expert advice 3.16 0.89 258 3.29 0.80 205 0.10 Accept

22. Help from outside the

community may be needed

3.17

0.95

258

3.34

0.83

205

0.27

Accept

23. Allowing one project to be

handled at a time

3.16

0.83

258

3.26

0.77

205

0.88

N. S.

The data on table 4.12 above show that the significant values for items 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and

23 are 0.19, 0.31, 0.16, 0.10, 0.27 and 0.18 respectively. Since the significant value of each of the

items is greater than 0.05 level of significance, the null hypothesis is not rejected for all the items. This

means that there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of men and women of the community

on the people’s perception of the effective of implementing grassroots community development

projects in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State

4.9 Hypothesis Three: There is no significant difference in the mean responses of the male and

female members on the people’s perception on the nature of participation in grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

Table 4.13 T-test Analysis Of Responses Of Men And Women On The People’s Perception Of

The Nature Of Participation in Grassroots Community Development Projects in Ezza South

L.G.A. Of Ebonyi State

Men Women

S/N Item Mean SD1 N Mean SD2 N Significant

value

Decision

lxvii

24. Involving people in the

decision making processes

and need selection

3.27

0.76

259

3.43

0.67

204

0.18

No

significance

25. Allowing people offer free

services

3.16 0.76 259 3.25 0.69 204 0.18 N. S

26. Involving people in planning,

assessment, utilization and

execution of projects.

2.74

0.89

259

3.16

3.12

204

0.40

N. S

27 Making people to budget and

pay project levy

3.05

1.02

258

3.21

0.91

203

0.71

N. S.

28 Allowing resources to be

provided by the people

2.38

1.05

258

2.46

1.11

203

0.39

N. S.

29. Making people donate to the

project

2.22

1.00

259

2.42

1.06

204

0.40

N. S.

The data on table 4.13 above show that the significance values for items 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 are

0.18, 0.18, 0.40, 0.71, 0.39 and 0.40 respectively. Since the significant value of each of the items is

greater than 0.05 level of significance, the null hypothesis is not rejected for all the items. This

means that there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of the men and women members of

the community on the perceptions of the people on the nature of participation in grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South L.G.A. of Ebonyi State.

lxviii

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS,SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter deals with the following: discussion of findings, summary of findings,

implications of the study, recommendations, limitation of the study and suggestions for further areas of

study.

5.1 Discussion Of The Findings

The researcher found out that using the services of traditional leaders and cabinets, involving

influential members in the community through seminar and use of cinema, employing the services of

town unions and community based organizations in the community and awareness creation through

mass and traditional media are effective strategies for mobilizing people for grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi state. The above findings agree with the view of

Abiona (200) who noted that the agents for mobilization include the mass media, religious

organizations, youth organizations, social clubs and other appropriate channels of communication that

can reach the people effectively. The findings also agree with Omoruyi (2001), Ogili (2004) and Obi

(2006) who suggested among other strategies, the use of elders who command of the people, getting the

influential to show interest and commitment to the project, reaching the community through the

influential and better still to visit the traditional ruler and his cabinet members in the palace in order to

throw light on the socio-economic and political life of the community.

More so, Anita (1990) and Ngwu (2002) opined the use of local leadership, public meetings and

conscientizing the people by which the poor become aware of themselves or as a means of giving and

obtaining information from various local groups operating at different community levels. Ekom (2002)

suggested that th4e wooden gong, elephant tusk, tortoise shell and raffia bamboo tissues have all served

as traditional media antiquities.

On the effective procedure of planning grassroots community development projects, the

researcher discovered that making provisions for emergency situation, listing methods of achieving the

objectives of the project, prioritizing the needs of the community, allowing people to determine time

and duration of implementing the project, ensuring people’s trust through free flow of communication

and making a list and getting resources for the project implementation are effective procedure of

planning grassroots community development project in Ezza South L.G.A. of Ebonyi State. The above

findings agrees with the view of Ngwu (2002), Egonu (2000) and Onah (2002) who suggested that

projects plan should be stated in clear objectives, bringing together different authorities to understand

lxix

both the present and future possibilities, situation analysis, specific objectives, benefits, target audience,

strategies, duration location, budget, sustainability and monitoring have been suggested as well. The

researcher also discovered that involving the people in the projects formulation was not an effective

procedure of planning grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi

State. This does not agree with the views of Ngwu (2002) who emphasized that planning projects at

the community level should ensure active participation of the people at all levels for whom the project

is intended employing participatory approach.

The researcher discovered that help from outside the community may be needed, expert advice

could be sort, allowing one project to be handled at a time, allowing various groups in the community

to work together, making use of resources in the community and allowing community members to take

active part during project implementation are effective ways of implementing grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State. These findings agree with the view of Ezeh

(1999) who opined that a number of activities required to be done in project implementation among

which are securing community participation for launching project, co-ordination of activities,

monitoring and providing for contingency; Agunwamba (1995) observed that when projects are not

designed with the people it leaves them uncommitted to the project, Bassey (2002) noted that people

invest themselves in activities because of the attractiveness of the process and the anticipated goals and

that some kinds of problems are better solved by several persons who work together than by a single

one; Ukwu (1995) observed that improvement, town or development unions play vital role is

community project. Anyanwu (1992) maintained that comparative societies crafts, political or

community associations like the age grade, town union, women and youth organizations should

participate and supervise community projects; Akpama (2000) stipulated that effective community

projects demands the active involvement of all the stake holders; Nzeneri and Ogili (2002) noted that

implementing community projects is better done when the socio-economic actions of the people are put

side-by-side, the people defining their common problem and using available resources for solving it,

while Chukwurah (2002) and Anyanwu (1992) emphasized that the efforts of the people should come

and the need for external or expert help should be the last option, Anyanwu (1996) made bold to assert

that the felt need or prioritized of the people should be handled sequentially. It is imperative to note that

all the findings of the researcher were recommended by the respondents as ways of implementing

grassroots community projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

lxx

On the nature of participation in grassroots community development projects in Ezza Sought

L.G.A of Ebonyi State, the researcher found out that involving people in the decision making processes

and need selection, allowing people to offer free services, making people to budget and pay project levy

and involving people in planning, assessment, utilization and execution of projects are nature of

participation of the people in grassroots community projects in Ezza South L.G.A. of Ebonyi State.

These discoveries are in line with the views of many advocates of popular participation in development

programmes. Agwu (2005) observed that in the launching of development projects, voluntary

contributions by individual or groups is recommended in the form of project levies; Nnadozie and

Ngwu (2002), and Omoruyi (2001) emphasized that participation in community programmes entails

that the local people should take part in planning, execution, utilization and assessment of the project;

Segall (1988), Oduaran (1994) and Mclvor (2002) maintained that people who inhabit an environment

are the ones most able to make decisions about its sustainable use. The Manual of Poverty Reduction /

State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (2004) asserted that developing plans,

polices and strategies without consultation with the different stakeholders often lead to failure. The

researcher also discovered that allowing resources to be provided by the people and making people

donate to the project were not effective in the nature of participation in grassroots community projects

in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State. These, as stated in the literature do not correspond to Nnadozie

and Ngwu (2002) who noted that participation in community programmes provides effective means of

mobilizing and utilizing local resources; Agwu (2005) observed that launching community projects

demands individuals should voluntarily donate to it.

Regarding the factors militating against effective implementation of grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State, the findings revealed conflicts among

leaders and lack of unity due to natural disasters, use of inappropriate communication network in

mobilization, unwillingness of the community members to participate in the project, embezzlement and

diversion of project funds and materials, inadequate finance and materials, poor targeting of projects

due to poor leadership, non involvement of community members in the design and implementation of

projects, and government lip service to the people. These findings are in agreement with the works of

some distinguished scholars. For instance, Esenjor (1992) and Rothmann, Ertich and Thopman (1995)

noted that while some community members may feel sidelined, others may see the new project as a

challenge to them; Bassey (2002) asserted hat no person will dissipate his energies in an enterprise that

will not benefit him; Oreh and Obasi (2008) lamented that even though rural women have always

lxxi

remained the invisible partners in development, they are not integrated in development programmes;

Omoruyi (2001) opined that the success or failure of any community project is dependent on the

massive and individual involvement; Chukwuezi (2000) mentioned conflicts among leaders, bickering

and ecological disasters such as oil spillage, erosion, landslides, communal wars as inhibiting factors

against proper implementation of grassroots community projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State;

Esenjor (1992) described a situation whereby some agency staff assume that they know best how things

are to be done and tend to ignore the suggestions from the local population as there is the danger that

the outside planner may not understand the social structure of the community in question; Oreh and

Obasi (2008) noted that community projects may not achieve its objectives if inappropriate

communication strategies are used in development programmes.

The analysis on hypothesis one (Table 4.11) revealed that there is statistically no significant

difference in the opinions of men and women members of the community on the procedures for

planning grassroots community projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State. The indication is that the

respondents unanimously agreed that making provisions for emergency situation, listing methods of

achieving the objectives of the project, prioritizing the needs of the community, allowing people to

determine time and duration of implementing their project, ensuring people’s trust through free flow of

communication and making a list and getting resources for project implementation are effective

procedures of planning grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi

State.

Again the analysis on hypothesis two (Table 4.12) revealed that there is statistically no

significant difference in the opinions of the men and women members of the community, on the

effective ways of implementing grassroots community development project in Ezza South L.G.A of

Ebonyi State. Similarly, the indication is that the respondents unanimously agreed that help from

outside the community may be needed, communities could need expert advice, allowing one project at

a time, various groups in the community to work together, making use of resources in the community

and allowing community members to take active part during project implementation are the effective

ways of implementing grassroots community developments in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

Finally, the analysis on hypothesis (Table 4.13) revealed that there is statistically no significant

difference in the opinions of the men and women members of the community on the factors militating

against effective implementation of grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A

of Ebonyi State. Correspondingly, the indication is that the respondents unanimously agreed that

lxxii

involving people in the decision making processes and need selection, allowing people to budget and

pay project levy and involving people in planning, assessment, utilization and execution of projects are

effective nature of participation of community members in grassroots community development projects

in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

5.2 Summary Of The Findings

1. Using the services of traditional leaders and cabinets, involving influential members in the community

to help in awareness creation, sensitizing community members through seminar and use of cinema,

employing the services of town union and community based organizations in the community and

awareness creation through mass and traditional media are the effective strategies for mobilizing people

for grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

2. Making provisions for emergency situation, listing methods of achieving the objectives of the project,

prioritizing the needs of the community, allowing people to determine time and duration of

implementing the project, ensuring people’s trust through free flow of communication and making a list

and getting resources for the project are the effective procedure of planning grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South L.G.A. of Ebonyi State.

3. Help from outside the community may be needed, making use of expert advice, allowing one project to

be handled at a time, allowing various groups in the community to work together, making use of

resources in the community and allowing community members to take active part during project

implement action are effective ways to be employed during implementation of grassroots community

development projects in Ezza Sought L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

4. Involving people in the decision making processes and need selection, allowing people to offer free

services, making people to budget and pay project levy and involving people in planning, assessment,

utilization and execution of projects are effective nature of participation of community members in

grassroots community development projects in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State.

5. Conflicts among leaders and lack of unity due to natural disaster, use of inappropriate communication

networks in communication, unwillingness of the community members to participate in community

projects, embezzlement and diversion of project funds and materials, inadequate finance and materials,

poor targeting of community projects due to poor leadership, non involvement of community members

in the design and implementation of projects and government lip service to the people are factors

militating against effective implementation of grassroots community development projects in Ezza

South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

lxxiii

5.2 Implication Of The Study

The findings of this study have some implications for the government, donor agencies, and

development agents as well as men and women members of the communities in Ezza South L.G.A of

Ebonyi State.

The findings showed that using the services of the traditional leaders and cabinet, and involving

the influential members in the community to help in awareness creation are the effective strategies for

mobilizing community members to embark on grassroots community development projects. In doing

this, the members of the community could be sensitized using seminar and Cinema, with the use of

mass and traditional media. Also the use of interactive process such as employing the services of town

unions and community based organizations in the community are effective strategies to mobilize the

citizens to participate in grassroots community development projects.

Another implication of the findings is that emergency situations should be envisaged and

planned for in advance, as the members of the community plan for grassroots community projects. In

doing this, adequate planning should entail listing methods of achieving the objective of the project,

while prioritizing the needs of the community. This is because the findings revealed that sensitizing the

community enable the sponsors of the project answer questions, which if not properly addressed, will

later harm the project. Also, ensuring peoples trust through free flow of communication and making a

list and getting resources for project implementation are other recommended procedures for planning

grassroots community development project. But the study also discovered that involving the people in

the project’s formulation is not an effective procedure of planning grassroots community project. This

implies that projects formation may have been integrated in order areas during project implementation.

The study disclosed that help could come from outside the community in form of expert advice,

grants or incentives. The implication is that government, donor agencies and specialists should channel

more development efforts to the communities on conditions that would not be conducive to them in the

course of implementing grassroots community projects. Also various development oriented groups in

the community have to work together in order to see to it that grassroots community development

projects are implemented. As much as possible, through the active involvement of the human resources

in the community, materials resources should be maximally utilized to ensure effective implementation

of grassroots community projects.

Another implication of findings is that involving the people in the decision making processes

and need selection where people can offer good opinions and give free services are effective ways of

lxxiv

ensuring active participation of the members in grassroots community projects. This does not negate

the importance of divergent view point, as the final result will be for the good of all. But the study also

revealed that donations and use of resources by the people are not wanted as ways people can

participate in grassroots community development project. This implies that donating to the project by

wealthy individuals only, if the poor do not, might make the project to be seen as the projects of the

rich in the community than that of the community as a whole. They might use this to exploit the

resources to their advantage and at the detriment of the people.

Also inadequate finance and materials, conflicts, embezzlement and diversion of fund and

materials, and use of inappropriate communication network in mobilization are among the factors

militating against effective implementation of grassroots community development projects in Ezza

South L.G.A of Ebonyi State. The implications are that government should make adequate budgetary

provision and ensure financial probity in grassroots projects while fraudulent official or groups should

be brought to book while both traditional and mass media should be used hard-in-hard to disseminate

information. Also conflicts and rivalry resulting to loss of lives and properties should be cut on the bud.

5.3 Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

1. That community leaders, development agents, government and donor agencies should

effectively utilize the various agents of traditional and mass media in members of the

communities about grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of

Ebonyi State.

2. That the priority project or felt needs of the people should be funded and implemented with full

and active participation of the people in the communities to which the project is meant for, in

Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

3. That one project should be handled at a time before going to another in the communities that

make up Ezza South LGA.

4. That as much as possible, resources in the community should be utilized in grassroots projects,

while outside help may be secondary.

5. That the traditional cabinet officials and various development groups should be properly

involved in grassroots community project in Ezza South L.G.A.

6. That government’s full weight of the law should be visited on anyone found guilty of corrupt

practices in grassroots projects.

lxxv

5.4 Limitations Of The Study

Although the study has accomplished the purpose of which it set out to attain, the following

limitations are inherent in the study.

i. Unwillingness of the respondents to complete the questionnaire in record time thereby delaying

the collection of data for this study generally.

ii. The communal land crises along Abakaliki-Enugu Road in Ebonyi State made the researcher

spend limited fund on finding alternative routes to school.

5.5 Suggestions For Further Study

i. The role of change agents in grassroots community projects.

ii. Assessment of people’s perception of grassroots community projects in another local Area.

iii. The role of women empowerment in grassroots development.

Summary

This study was carried out to assess people’s perception about grassroots community

development projects in Ezza South L.G.A. of Ebonyi State. To carry out the research, five research

questions and three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study.

Relevant literature including strategies for mobilizing people for grassroots community

development projects, procedure for planning grassroots community development projects, effective

ways of implementing grassroots community projects, nature of participation of community members

in grassroots community projects and factors militating against effective implementation of grassroots

community development projects were reviewed.

The population of this study consists of (4020) men and women members drawn from Town

Unions in the twelve communities that make up Ezza South L.G.A using multi-stage sampling

techniques. The major instrument used for collection of data was questionnaire.

The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages, weighted mean and t-test. The

results of the findings led to the following conclusions.

Using the services of traditional leaders and cabinets, involving influential members of the

community to help in awareness creation, through traditional and mass media, sensitizing community

through seminar and cinema, and employing the services of town unions and community based

lxxvi

organizations in the community are effective strategies of mobilizing community members for

grassroots community development projects in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

Making provision for emergency cases, listing methods of achieving the objectives of the

projects, prioritizing the needs of the community, allowing people to determine time and duration of

implementing the project, ensuring people’s trust through free flow of communication and making a list

and getting resources for project implementation are effective procedure for planning grassroots

community projects.

Ways involved of implementing grassroots community projects are: use of outside help and

expert advice, handling one project at a time, group working together, maximal use of community

resources and community members’ involvement in project implementation.

Participation in grassroots community project entail involving the people adequately in decision

making processes including need selection, allowing people to offer services freely, budgeting and

paying project levy and people’s active involvement in planning, execution assessments, and

utilization.

Militating factors against effective implementation of grassroots community projects in Ezza

South L.G.A are: Communal conflicts, lack of unity and natural disaster, inappropriate communication

media, unwillingness to participate, embezzlement of project fund or diversion of materials meant for a

project, shortage of fund and materials, bad leaders targeting poorly, non involvement of the people and

government unfulfilled promises and lip service. Following the findings of the study, some

recommendations were made by the researcher to prioritized the needs of the people and thereby select

their most pressing or felt need with the people at all stages of decision making if grassroots projects

are to be effectively implemented in Ezza South L.G.A of Ebonyi State. The limitations of the study

were pointed out and areas for further studies were finally suggested.

lxxvii

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APPENDIX A

Questionnaire on the Assessment of People’s Perception of Grassroots Community Development

Projects

Department of Adult Education

And Extra Mural Studies

University of Nigeria,

Nsukka.

March 20, 2009

Dear Sir/Madam,

Request to Respond to a Questionnaire

I am a postgraduate student of Adult Education/Community Development in the Department of

Adult Education and Extra Mural Studies of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, conducting a research

work on “Assessment of people’s perception of Grassroots Community Development Projects in Ezza

South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

You are requested, to please, fill the questionnaire as objectively as possible, as the information

you give shall be treated confidentially and utilized purely for academic purpose.

Thanks for your anticipated co-operation

Yours faithfully,

Nwiteozum, Emmanuel N.

PG/M.ED/05/40051.

lxxxviii

APPENDIX B

QUESTIONNAIRE

SECTION A

Demographic characteristics of Respondents

Instruction: Please tick where applicable

1 Age: (a)19-25 (b) 26-35 (c) 36-45 (d)45-55

(e) 56 and above

2. Marital Status: (a) Single (b) Married (c) Widowed

(d) Divorced.

3. Educational qualification; (a) None (b) FSLC (c) Junior WAEC

(d) Senior WAEC/GCE (e) PTC/TC11

(f) NCE/Diploma (g) HND/Degree (Please, tick for your highest

qualification).

4. Occupation: (a) Farming (b) Trading (c) Paid Labor

(d) Craft Work (e) Civil Service (f) Public Service (g) Religious Service

5. Religion: (a) Christianity (b) Moslem (c) African Traditional Religion

(d) others, specify ………………………

SECTION B:

People’s Perception of Grassroots Community Development Projects

INSTRUCTION: Rate the following according to how you agree with the people’s concept of

grassroots community development projects, under the 4 point Likert scale: To very great extent(4), To

great extent(3), To little extent(2),To very little extent(1)

√

√

lxxxix

Research Question One: To what extent do you support the strategies for mobilizing people for

grassroots community development projects?

S/N TVGE TGE TLE TVLE 6 Using the services of traditional leaders and

cabinets.

7 Employing the services of town union and community-based organizations in the community.

8 Awareness creation through mass /traditional media.

9 Sensitizing community members through seminar and use of cinema.

10 Involving influential members in the community to help in awareness creation.

Research Question Two. To what extent do you support the procedure of planning grassroots

community development projects?

S/N TVGE TGE TLE TVLE 11 Prioritizing the needs of the community. 12 Listing methods of achieving the objectives of the

project.

13 Allowing people to determine time and duration of implementing the project.

14 Making a list and getting resources for project implementation.

15 Making provisions for emergency situation. 16 Involving the people in the projects formulation. 17 Ensuring people’s trust through free flow of

communication

Research Question Three; To what extent do you support the ways involved in the implementation of

grassroots community development projects?

xc

S/N TVGE TGE TLE TVLE 18 Allowing community members to take active part

during project implementation

19 Allowing various groups in the community to work together.

20 Making use of resources in the community. 21 Making use of expert advice. 22 Help from outside the community may be needed. 23 Allowing one project to be handled at a time.

Research Question Four: To what extent do you support the natures of participation of community

members in grassroots community development projects?

S/N TVGE TGE TLE TVLE 24 Involving people in the decision making processes

and need selection

25 Allowing people to offer free services. 26 Involving people in planning, assessment,

utilization and execution of projects.

27 Making people to budget and pay project levy. 28 Allowing resources to be provided by the people. 29 Making people donate to the project.

Research Question Five: To what extent do you support that the following militate against effective

implementation of grassroots community development projects?

S/N TVGE TGE TLE TLVE 30 Non involvement of community members in the

design and implementation of projects.

31 Conflicts among leaders and lack of unity due to natural disaster.

32 Use of inappropriate communication network in mobilization.

33 Poor targeting of projects due to poor leadership. 34 Unwillingness of the community members to

participate in the project

35 Embezzlement and diversion of project fund and materials

36 Inadequate finance and materials. 37 Government lip service to the people

xci

ASSESSMENT OF PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION OF GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN EZZA SOUTH LGA OF EBONYI

STATE.

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

BY

NWITEOZUM, EMMANUEL N.

PG/M.ED/05/40051

DEPARTMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR P. N. C. NGWU

xcii

JUNE, 2009.