ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study focused on alternative dispute resolution and community development in Imo State (2013 – 2022). The study was based on the need to ascertain the relevance of alternative dispute approach in the development of the communities. The researcher developed and used three research objectives, three research questions and three corresponding hypotheses. The study was anchored on social justice theory. Data were collected through primary source (questionnaire) and secondary source (published materials) and the study used survey research approach. The population covered the entire 1,394,800 people from six local governments of the study area (2 from each of the zones in Imo State). The sample was 400 from the entire population, but only 370 copies of the questionnaire were returned from the 400 copies distributed. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage and the hypotheses were tested using chi-square. It was discovered that there is significant impact of alternative disputes resolution on settlement of kingship disputes in Imo State; there is significant relationship between the alternative disputes resolution mechanism and settlement of land disputes in Imo State; and there is significant effects of alternative disputes resolution on settlement of disputes arising from development project in Imo State. The study concluded that alternative dispute approach is a panacea for dispute resolution in rural communities and if well handled will lead to community development. The work recommended that Alternative disputes resolution strategies should be effectively employed in settling all disputes relating to kingship, land disputes, and community projects so as to achieve community development.