A Qualitative assessment of community participation in public infrastructure development projects: the case of Luwinga ward, Mzuzu

Abstract

The study is about an assessment of community participation in public infrastructure development projects. Studies show that community participation in development projects instill a sense of accountability, ownership and speed up the implementation process. The study’s objectives included assessing roles elected leaders and community members play in community infrastructure project, analysing the level of community participation in community infrastructure projects and examining challenges leading to unfinished or delayed infrastructure projects in Luwinga Ward. It focused on TDC hall and a fence construction at Area 1B primary school. This is a qualitative study and data was collected through focus group discussion, interviews and observation. Qualitative research aims to understand the research problem from peoples’ words and perceptions. A total sample of 51 participants identified using judgmental and snowball sampling techniques took part in the study through focus group discussions and one on one interviews. A theory of saturation helped in guiding the study on the sample size. The study found that there is limited community participation in the area. Additionally, leaders did not play a significant role in promoting community participation. Lack of coordination and information sharing among stakeholders, lack of transparency and accountability, political interference and ignorance of community members on their roles contributed to the incompletion of the projects in the area. The study recommends that leaders and community members should find strategies to enhance community participation for inclusive development. This study was guided by Arnstein Ladder of Citizen Participation Theory which thoroughly explains the levels of citizen participation in community development and its impact. The study’s findings agree with scholars like Chambers that “a development project should be done by or with the people concerned, rather than for or to them”.