Grassroots Perception and Participation in Community Development Programs in Etche Local Government Area

Abstract

The Study examined Grassroots Perception and Participation in Community Development Programs in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The population for the study comprised 600 executive members of the community administration institutions – Town Union, Women Association, Youth Association, CDC and the Traditional Rulers Council in the thirty communities that make up the LGA spread in five clans. A multi-stage sample procedure was adopted, involving the random sampling technique which was used in selecting 2 communities from each of the 5 clans in the LGA. The second stage involved a purposive sampling of the Chairmen, Secretaries, Public Relation Officers and Treasurers of the community administration institutions – Town Union, Women Association, Youth Association, CDC and the Traditional Rulers Council. This was used to realize a sample size of 200.

Questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion were adopted as instruments for data collection. The reliability coefficient is 0.87. Three research questions were posed. They were analyzed with frequencies and weighted means. The study revealed that the grassroots have a negative perception of what constitutes CD and the objectives of its programs. It also revealed that grassroots participation in CD activities has been very low. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended amongst others the need to engage qualified adult educators and community development workers in our rural communities so as to demands of creating the desired awareness to change the peoples’ perception of development and CD. Community members should be carried along at all levels of CD projects and programs – planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; and these programs should be co-coordinated by competent CD officers.