Community development framework for Niger Delta in Nigeria

The need for community development sustainability is vital for nation’s progression, transformation and general well-being of a respective community. Nevertheless, its impact on community members particularly in rural communities remained a major
issue that has not been adequately addressed. This scenario also captured in the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria where so much effort has been put in by the government in the region yet not much has been achieved. Therefore, this study is intended to examine the challenges and catalyst for community development sustainability in the Niger Delta region. A mixed methodology was employed in this study to elicit an in-depth and meaningful data on Niger Delta community’s participation to facilitate
development sustainability. The in-depth interview was employed in the qualitative study using 19 interviewees from across six selected communities from three states in the Niger Delta region and three key officers from the NDDC making a total of twenty two interviewees. Survey was used for only community members using 300 questionnaires which were administered using the cluster sampling technique. The pick and drop-off technique was used for data collection and 284 questionnaires representing a total response rate of 94.7% were returned. The interviews were thematically coded
thereafter analysed using the Nvivo 10 software while the SPSS version 20 was used for the quantitative data analysis. The results from both findings were triangulated and the findings show that three fundamental elements: Community, developmental agency and government were identified as crucial for community developmental sustainability. The findings from the study demonstrate that the role of community members is key element in achieving community developmental sustainability whereas the approach and strategies adopted by government and developmental agencies motivates community participation and involvement in developmental programs. The research findings elicit the pertinent role of community participation on development sustainability, and proposed a framework that promotes community development sustainability. The study concludes that government reactiveness towards developmental goals; adequate funding and relationship of community members with developmental agencies are salient issues that needs adequate attention in
developmental plans.