Capacity development in a post-conflict context: An analysis of tangible infrastructural development in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Within the discourse of community development, the expression 'capacity development' stands out. Its common usage has somehow rendered it almost insignificant given the fact that those who use it tend to think of it in ways that hardly can be considered as having singular meaning. To be precise, there is no consensus as to its meanings; yet, it has not stopped its usage. The implication is that capacity development as a concept remains complex and has the tendency to erect difficulty in the attempt to operationalize it and apply it in evaluating development initiatives. However, this study presents an operational definition of capacity development in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria; levels of capacity development as well as dimensions used to evaluate on-going development projects/ policies in the region. The research method used to gather data was mixed. Quantitative method was more convenient due to the topography of the study area. However, qualitative method was introduced and utilized to guarantee the validity, authenticity and reliability of data collected. Mapping and an observation of government agencies/ organizations involved in capacity development in the study area (the Niger Delta region, by extension); questionnaires that spoke of practices supportive of capacity development in the region as well as resources available to Southern Ijaw LGA for capacity development; focused group discussions and in depth interviews that drew attention to factors affecting capacity development at all levels; individual, institutional and societal etc. these tools were means that efficiently helped in assessing the extent to which capacity development has been operationalized in post conflict Niger delta.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of the Western Cape

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Obuaku, Chinwe Christopher

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Oloyede, Olajide

• Capacity development
• Post-conflict
• Nigeria
• Post-conflict reconstruction
• Niger Delta

Licence

• https://uwcscholar.uwc.ac.za/bitstreams/4459523b-29ee-4b95-9d2d-148a67936aa2/download