RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN YENAGOA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE
1Pere-ere Felix Victor and 2Erekpokeme Lucia Nemine
1Department of Adult and Community Education, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
2Department of Agricultural Education, Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, Bayelsa state, Nigeria
E-mail: perekiridi@yahoo.com; lulunemine@gmail.com
Abstract: Yenagoa local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria has been the recipient of several community development programmes initiated by the Government. The perception of residents was assessed to ascertain if these programmes have improved their lives. Four hundred residents were randomly selected for the study. 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 these programmes/projects, that these programmes/projects have not improved the living conditions of the people thus, peoples’ perception of the programmes/projects are dissatisfactory. It is recommended that government should execute programme that are the felt need of the people
Keywords: Perception, Residents, Effectiveness, Community Development