Community Participation and the Sustainabilty of Rural Water Delivery Services in a Nigerian Coastal Settlement of Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The extent of community participation in the sustainability of rural water delivery services in Oron, a Nigerian coastal settlemen, was investigated in this study. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the level of borehole water supply coverage and the status of their functionality, to find out the extent of participation of those charge with the responsibility of managing the water supply schemes and their community members in the management of the water delivery services of the study area. Data for the study was obtained through the use of structured questionnaires administered to 200 randomly selected households drawn from 10 wards that make-up the study area. The data was complemented by information obtained through focus group discussions (FGD), interviews, observations and official records of the state agencies responsible for public water supplies. The analysis of the data using descriptive statistical tools revealed that of the 16 borehole water supply schemes in the study area, only 5 are functional at full capacity while 11 are non-functional. The non-functionality of these schemes was due to the top-down approach to development which largely excludes members of the community from participating in the decision making process of the project. It was futher revealed from the study that should programme planners involve community members from the planning to utilisation level; the community members would be empowered to take total control, ownership, maintenance and sustainability of the water facilities and barriers to real and effective participation in water delivery services in the coastal setllement would be eliminated, as genuine participation in critical stages of water projects such as decision making and technology selection is either limited or lacking in the area. The weak institutions of the structures charged with the responsibilities of managing the rural water supply schemes have been identified as major factor for ineffective participation of the community members in the sustainability of the water projects. Strategies that may enhance the sustainability of the schemes and increase involvement of the community members at both the planning and
implementation of the water projects are suggested