Community Self-Help Initiatives and Rural Development: A Study of Selected Communities in Enugu State

Abstract

This study examines Community Self-Help Initiatives and Rural Development in Enugu State: A Study of eight Selected Communities in Enugu state. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 2911749. The sample size of the study was 400. The research combined simple random and stratified random techniques. Primary data were used. Primary data were collected through the use of questionnaire. The data were collected, synthesized and analyzed using frequency tables and simple percentages while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study. It was revealed in the course of this study that Community self-help Initiatives have promoted construction of classroom blocks in primary schools in selected communities in Enugu state; Community self-help Initiatives have enhanced the provision of portable water in selected communities in Enugu state; Community self-Help Initiatives have promoted the provision of rural electricity in the selected communities in Enugu state and Community Self-Help Initiatives have promoted the construction of rural roads in selected communities in Enugu state. The implication is that self-help strategy plays significant role on rural development in Enugu State, particularly in the selected communities. The study therefore recommended that there is need for engagement in self-help projects to promote construction of classroom blocks in primary schools in Enugu communities; there is need for government to encourage communities to embark on Self-Help projects so as to enhance provision of portable water in Enugu communities; and there is need for increased provision of rural electricity in Enugu communities through self-help projects among others.