Oluwatoyin Theresa Akin

407 Pages·2016·13.25 MB·English

Community Participation and Infrastructure Development:
A Case Study of Akure City, Nigeria.

A Thesis submitted for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy

Oluwatoyin Theresa Akin

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Newcastle University

October, 2016

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Abstract

Infrastructure development is the bedrock of any economy and it is an important factor
for the improvement of wellbeing and quality of life. Many nations are struggling with
meeting the increasing demands for infrastructure while local communities are devising
different approaches to meeting supply. However, the focus of the Nigerian
government is more towards the development of the urban and rural areas while the
suburban areas are often neglected.

The aim of the study is to assess the impact of community participation on
infrastructure development in Akure, Nigeria. The study was carried out to understand
how community participation contributed to adequacy of infrastructure development in
the suburban areas of a medium size city, and was carried out in five suburban
communities within Akure city, Nigeria. Using a range of qualitative methods, the study
examined the role of government in the provision of road and water infrastructure in
the selected suburban communities. It also examined the participation of the local
residents and contribution of community self-help projects to adequacy of infrastructure
development in these communities.

The study established that a multi-organisation and sectorial approach was adopted
for the planning for road and water infrastructure development in Akure city withe more
emphasis placed on provision of infrastructure in the urban and rural areas. There are
overlapping responsibilities as regulatory institutions are also the major providers of
road and water infrastructure in Akure suburban area. The study further revealed the
preference of top-down approach to infrastructure development as only few agencies
make use of bottom-up approach while there is no collaboration between the state-
based and local-based agencies and neither with the regulating agencies.

Lastly the study showed that community self-help projects contributed to the adequacy
of road and water infrastructure. Community participation contributed more to
availability, accessibility and affordability of road and water infrastructure while the
qualities remain poor and not improved. Water infrastructure was more on individual
basis while road projects are through collective actions.

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Dedication

This work is dedicated to God the Father of all creation
And
To the memory of my late father Richard John Omotayo Ogunmakin

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Acknowledgements

I thank my Great and Loving Father, the Omnipotent God, My strength, my help and sustainer.
The one who has given me the Grace, Courage and strength to complete this journey. Unto
him be all the Glory, Honour and Adoration.

I also would like to thank a number of persons who have in many ways, afforded me the needed
support and backing in making this write up a reality.

First and foremost, I will like to acknowledge with gratitude my sponsors, the Commonwealth
Scholarship Commission in the UK without whom this dream would have Gone with the Wind.
My supervisory team- Dr John M Kamara and Dr Martin Beattie, for their incessant supervision
and encouragement throughout the time of this study. I value your input to this work. I also
thank the Vice Chancellor and the management of my home university – Federal University of
Technology Akure for granting me the opportunity to undertake this research.

Also my warmest thanks and appreciation goes to my lover, husband, pastor and spiritual
coach Ayodele-thanks for pushing me to apply for this scholarship ‘one more time’; for securing
the school admission and for supporting and believing in me throughout this period. It is only
God that can reward you. I Love you. It has indeed been a journey of Faith. My beloved children
Ayooluwanitemi and Aanuoluwanitemi you have been my joy and inspiration. Thanks for
bearing with mummy and not complaining about those long days away from home -I will
definitely make up for it! I Love you loads!

My dedicated mother Mrs Agnes Adebimpe Ogunmakin-there is no one else like mother to
me…. I am forever grateful to you for giving your prayers and money to support my dream.
The huge support and advice from my siblings has made this research bearable. Professor.
and Dr. (Mrs) Usifoh your moral and financial support and not giving up on me has paid well.
Thank you! Dr. and Mrs Cyril Ogunmakin; Dr and Dr (Mrs) Basil Ogunmakin; and Dr and Mrs
Kubehinje Thanks for always been there for me and for making out time out of none to look
after my affairs. Indeed, blood is thicker than water!

My thanks also go to the following people, Dr. Busola, Dr. Michael, Pastor Felix, Dr and Dr
(Mrs) Olayiwola, Mrs Memunat Saleh-Bala, Dr and Mrs Olajide, Mrs Ogee-Williams, you guys
are God sent! My sister in law sister Lade, Members of RCCG Living Assembly, Pastor Omo
and wife, Pastor Thomas and big mummy, Pastor Dina and mummy and all that I am not able
to mention here, your labour of love will surely be rewarded. May God Bless you all.
Above all, I thank God for everything!
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List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

ABCD Asset-Based Community Development
AKSLG Akure South Local Government
BPE Bureau of Public Enterprises
BPMU Bureau of Project Monitoring Unit
CBO Community Based Organisation
CBUDA Community Based Urban Development Agency
CDA Community Development Association
CDD Community driven development
CBUDP Ondo State Community Based Urban Development Projects
CSDA Ondo State Community and Social Development Agency
CSDP Community and Social Development Project
DFID Department for International Development
FCT Federal Capital Authority Abuja
FERMA Federal Roads Maintenance Agency)
FGN Federal Government of Nigeria
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
FMW Federal Ministry of Works
FMWR Federal Ministry of Water Resources
FUTA Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State
GRA Government residential Area
IDF Infrastructure Development Fund
IPA International Planning Associates
IUIDP Integrated Urban Infrastructure Development Programme
JMP Joint Monitoring Programme
LEEDS Local Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy NPDP -
National Physical Development
LGDO Local Government Development Officers
LGRC Local Government Review Committees
MCDC Ondo State Ministry of Community Development and Cooperative
MDA Ministries, Departments and Agencies
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NEEDS National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy
NGO Non-Governmental Organisations
NIIMP National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan
NPC National Population Commission
ODSDEP Ondo State Development and Economic Plan
ODSG Ondo State Government
ODSEEDS Ondo State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy
OSARMCO Ondo State Agency for Road Maintenance and Maintenance
OSDPC Ondo State Property Development Corporation
OSMLHS Ondo State Ministry of Land and Housing Services
OSMPPUD Ondo State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development
OSMW Ondo State Ministry of Works
OSWC Ondo State Water Corporation
PRA Participatory Rural Appraisals
PPA Participatory Poverty Assessments
RBDA River Basin Development Authorities
SEEDS State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy
SWA State Water Agencies
UNDP United Nations Development Program
USAID United States Agency for International Development.
UNICEF United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
WHO. World Health Organization

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Table of Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................................... iii
Dedication .......................................................................................................................................... iv
Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... v
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ..................................................................................... vii
Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Living in Suburban Areas ...................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Research Setting ..................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Infrastructure Development and Community Participation.......................................... 5
1.4 Problem Statement .................................................................................................................. 7
1.5 Research Aims, Objectives and Questions ...................................................................... 9
1.6 Research Strategy ................................................................................................................. 11
1.7 Justification for the Research ............................................................................................ 12
1.8 Structure of the Thesis ......................................................................................................... 13
Chapter 2. Infrastructure Development ............................................................................... 15
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 15
2.2 Definition and Classification of Infrastructure Development .................................... 15
2.2.1 Definition of Infrastructure Development .............................................................................. 15
2.2.2 Classification of Infrastructure Development ........................................................................ 16
2.3 Infrastructure and Economic Growth ............................................................................... 21
2.4 Infrastructure and Urbanisation ........................................................................................ 22
2.5 Adequacy of Infrastructure Developments ..................................................................... 24
2.5.1 Availability Factor ................................................................................................................. 25
2.5.2 Accessibility Factor ............................................................................................................... 26
2.5.3 Affordability Factor ............................................................................................................... 27
2.5.4 Quality Factor ....................................................................................................................... 29
2.5.5 How Much is Adequate? ...................................................................................................... 31
2.6 Approaches to Infrastructure Provision .......................................................................... 34
2.6.1 The Central System Approach ............................................................................................. 35
2.6.2 Decentralized System Approach .......................................................................................... 36
2.6.3 Private Sector Provision ....................................................................................................... 38
2.7 Factors Affecting the Outcomes of Government Approaches .................................. 40
2.7.1 Effective Institutional Framework ......................................................................................... 40
2.7.2 Finance ................................................................................................................................. 41
2.7.3 Poor Governance and Corruption ........................................................................................ 43
2.7.4 Bureaucratic Process and Attitude of Government Workers ............................................... 43
2.8 Infrastructure Development in Nigeria ............................................................................. 44
2.8.1 Strategies for Infrastructure Development and Dynamics of Sub-urban area ..................... 45
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2.9 Overview of Water and Road Infrastructures Development in Nigeria. ................... 50
2.9.1 Water Supply ........................................................................................................................ 50
2.9.2 Road Infrastructures ............................................................................................................. 55
2.10 Reflection ............................................................................................................................... 58
2.11 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................................ 60
Chapter 3. Community Participation ..................................................................................... 61
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 61
3.2 Community and Community Participation: Definitions and Debates ...................... 61
3.2.1 What is a Community? .......................................................................................................... 61
3.2.2 What is Participation? ........................................................................................................... 62
3.2.3 Community Participation ....................................................................................................... 63
3.3 Typologies of Community Participation .......................................................................... 67
3.4 Community Participation: A Model for the Progressive Improvement of
Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................. 70
3.5 Approaches to Community Participation ........................................................................ 73
3.5.1 Radical Communitarians and Transformative Approaches .................................................. 76
3.5.2 Technical-Functionalist Communitarians and Managerialism Approaches .......................... 77
3.5.3 Progressive Communitarians and Empowerment Approaches ............................................ 77
3.5.4 Anti-communitarians and economic conservative approaches ............................................ 78
3.6 Implementing Community Participation: Collective Action and Community Driven
Development Projects. ................................................................................................................ 79
3.7 Participatory Development Approach .............................................................................. 83
3.7.1 Participatory Development Approach and Infrastructure Development ............................... 85
3.7.2 Community Participatory Organisations ............................................................................... 88
3.7.3 Participation: Choice or Necessity? ...................................................................................... 90
3.8 Reflection: Implication for Research ................................................................................ 91
3.8.1 Research Gap ....................................................................................................................... 95
3.9 Chapter Summary .................................................................................................................. 95
Chapter 4. Research Methodology ......................................................................................... 97
4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 97
4.2 Research Design ............................................................................................................... 97
4.2.1 Qualitative Approach ............................................................................................................ 97
4.2.2 Selection of the Case Study ................................................................................................. 99
4.3 Data Collection Methods............................................................................................... 102
4.3.1 Data Collection Instruments ................................................................................................ 107
4.4 Data Analysis and Interpretation ..................................................................................... 113
4.5 Ethical Considerations ....................................................................................................... 114
4.6 Limitations of the Field Study ........................................................................................... 115
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