An Assessment of Government Initiatives in Community Development Programmes in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The research was an assessment of government initiatives in community development programmes in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Emphasis was on Government Programmes and the impact of these programmes and projects on members of the various communities in relation to how the programmes and projects have improved their living conditions, thus actualizing their real purposes. The assessment was carried out with a sample of 400 adults in the Local Government Area. Questionnaire was the major instrument for data collection. Data was analyzed using percentages and chi-square statistics. The study revealed that people are aware of government programmes/projects but are not involved in the process of initiating, planning and implementation of them. It was recommended that government should develop effective strategies that would match the principle of community development especially at the grassroots, avoid the execution of projects that are not the felt-need of the people to foster sustainability and ensure the practice of checks and balances at the local and state levels to monitor funds earmarked for community development programmes/projects.

Keywords: Assessment, government initiatives, community development programmes