Effects of world bank assisted Community and Social Development Projects (CSDP) on livelihood of rural households in southeast, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of the World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) on the livelihood of rural  households in Southeast, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 respondents, selected using a multi- sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency counts, logistic regression  and mean scores. Results showed that most of the CSD projects executed were in the education (99%), water (84.7%) and transportation  (60%) sectors. Results from the logistic regression indicate that the coefficients of classroom blocks and electrification projects had a  positive and significant effect on households’ livelihood. The social and economic benefits of CSDP intervention are cut across six critical  sectors: education, water, transportation, electricity, market, and health. The effects of CSDP intervention in the education sector revealed  that the number of children enrolment in schools (x= 2.0), number of students studying science courses (x= 2.6) and utilization  of library facilities (x= 2.2) all increased but the distance to schools (x= −0.4) and time taken to reach schools (x= −1.3) decreased. The  hypothesis tested confirms that CSDP projects have a significant effect on the livelihood status of rural households in Southeast, Nigeria.  The study recommended the sustenance of CSDP, particularly interventions in schools and electrification sectors because of its positive  impact on the households’ livelihood of the beneficiaries