Host community involvement in execution of water supply in Lagos State: A participatory development communication approach

This study explores the adoption of participatory development communication approaches in the execution of the water supply systems at the host communities of Adiyan, Akute, Iju, and Isashi in Ogun and Lagos States, from where raw water is pumped, treated, and distributed for consumption in Lagos State. It is anchored on Participatory Communication Theory, a multi-track theory developed by Paulo Freire, and the Theory of Self-Reliance, which came into being following the adoption of two resolutions by the United Nations. A mixed methods design was adopted for the study, and this involves the quantitative technique of questionnaire administration and qualitative technique of in-depth interviews with participants. The study found that the systems’ developer did not involve community stakeholders in the execution of the water projects and recommends that a development charter be enacted to compel developers or project donors to adopt the bottom-up approach by co-opting community stakeholders in the execution of future development projects.