Roles of Community Based Organisations in Community Development

Roles of Community Based Organisations in Community Development in Enugu State Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Community based organization are those organizations formed by members of a community to provide for the needs and challenges of the people and the community through joint efforts of the members. Such organization includes community development groups, community councils, among others (Biddle and Biddle, 1968; Agbola, 1998). The essence of Community based organizations is to serve as an avenue through which the citizen of a community meet together to discuss issues affecting them and the community with the view to jointly proffer solutions through the efforts of the members. The principal objective is the provision and improvement of the social and economic wellbeing of every member and the community. The organization does not depend on the government for the provision of its amenities but on the contribution and joint efforts of the members of the community. Their scope of operations is limited to the members and that of the community. They are non-governmental and non-profit organization which depends on the economic contribution of the members for the wellbeing and welfare of the members.

These organisations open up channel for people participation at the grassroot to contribute their individual effort to the development of the community. Participation is essential because it is the effort inject into the organization that is rewarded. According to Fakoya (1984) community development provides avenue for people to discuss about individual needs and that of the community, jointly plan and pull resources together and where necessary seek for assistance from government and non-governmental agencies to meet those needs and solve those problem confronting the communities. The study seeks to appraise the role of community Based Organisations in community Development in Enugu State Nigeria.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The importance and significant role of Community based organization to economic development of the society cannot be over emphasized. They have good intensions and loft goals for the members and the community as well. In view of the fact that government interventions are sometime delayed and sometimes non available. However, they have limited operations and are faced with numerous challenges. Many of this organization have folded up due to lack of financial support. Members are faced with poverty and poor living standards. The need for finance for infrastructural development often times proves difficult. In spite of this shortfall some community based organizations have rosed above their challenges through government and external assistance thereby enabling them to exact significant impact on the community. The problem confronting the study is to investigate the role of community Based Organisations in community Development in Enugu State Nigeria.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The fundamental objective of the study is to investigate the role of community Based Organisations in community Development in Enugu State Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study include;

1. To determine the nature of Community Based Organization.
2. To determine the roles of community Based Organisations.
3. To determine the roles of community Based Organisations in community development in Enugu State Nigeria.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the nature of Community Based Organization?
2. What are the roles of community Based Organisations?
3. What are the roles of community Based Organisations in community development in Enugu State Nigeria?

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho₁: There is no significant role of community based organizations in community development.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study intends to project the important role of community Based Organisations in the development of the local communities and to draw the attention of relevant stakeholders to the challenges confronting the operations, growth and stability of the CBOs.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study proffers an investigation into the role of community Based Organisations in community Development in Enugu State Nigeria

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study was restricted to Enugu due to logistics and geographical factors.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION DEFINED

Community based organization are those organizations formed by members of a community to provide for the needs and challenges of the people and the community through joint efforts of the members.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

This is defined as Progress in an economy or the increase in the standard of living of the people, or the adoption of new technology for the development of the economy.