Rural Households’ Participation in World Bank Assisted Community and Social Development Project: A Case Study of Southeast, Nigeria

The study assessed rural households’ participation in the World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project in Southeast, Nigeria. Purposive sampling techniques were used in the selection of 300 respondents. Primary data were collected with a questionnaire administered as an interview schedule. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency counts, multiple regression and factor analysis. The null hypothesis for the study was tested using F-test at a 5% significance level. Results showed that most (39%) of the respondents were within the age bracket of 40-45 years and were mostly male (64%). About 30.7% completed secondary school and were married (67%). Moreover, 61.7% lived with 7 persons and were mostly farmers (36%). About 44.7% had lived in the communities between 25-32 years and earned an annual income of N401,000-N500,000 (36.3%). Further analysis indicated that rural households participated by providing labour and finance for project implementation like culverts/mini-bridges, and the construction/renovation of school facilities. The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents showed a coefficient of multiple determination (R2) of 0.834 = 83% which implies that it greatly influenced their participation in the project activities. Most of the variables were statistically significant and met a priori expectations. However, factor analysis identified corruption, and political, managerial and administrative bottlenecks as constraints to the effective participation of rural households in the implementation of CSDP in Southeast Nigeria. The null hypothesis which stated that the socio-economic attributes of the project beneficiaries do not have a significant influence on their participation in the CSDP project was rejected indicating that their socio-economic attributes influenced their participation in the project activities. Policy recommendations aimed at the elimination of political interference, community sensitisation and outreaches to enhance participation were made, among others.