Effects of Community Participation on the Sustainability of Rural Infrastructure in Ondo State, Nigeria

In Nigeria, project sustainability has always been a serious issue. The evolvement of participatory approach to community development in the country is expected to improve infrastructural development and sustainability of the facilities. The study was carried out to examine the effects of rural households’ participation on the sustainability of rural infrastructural development in Ondo State. A structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from 144 respondents randomly selected from 12 communities that benefitted from IFAD/ Niger Delta Development Commission Community-based project. The results were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, likert scale and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The study revealed that majority of the respondents were adequately informed and participated in the implementation of projects carried out by IFAD/ NDDC in their various communities. Rural households contributed to the projects through the payment of counterpart funds, replacement of damaged project parts, provision of labour, security at project site by community police group called vigilante groups, thus protecting the properties, fencing of projects, and attending regular meetings to review project performance and problems. The effects of community participation in the project include – increased sense of belonging and ownership of infrastructure; sustainability of projects and increased level of commitment to communal work. From the study, age, status and gender has no significant relationship to participation in the Community Development based Projects. It is important that community involvement and participation in the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of community project should be encouraged in community projects to ensure its sustainability.