EVALUATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BY KOLOKUMA/OPOKUMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITIES OF RURAL DWELLERS (2019-2022)

The study evaluates rural development projects embarked by the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government administration from 2019-2022 in improving livelihood activities of rural dwellers. Identification of livelihood activities of household heads, identification of rural development projects; and evaluation of benefits derived by rural dwellers were the objectives of the study. A snowball sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents as sample size. Data obtained were analyzed with descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and mean; while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the formulated hypothesis for the study. Findings from the study showed that farming, processing of farm produce, marketing of farm produce, non-farm business, tailoring, welding and fabrication, hair dressing, barbing, transportation, public/civil service, automobile mechanic, etc were among the most common livelihood activities of the rural dwellers in the study with mean score of >2.50. Provision of portable water in all 11 wards, construction/furnishing of skill acquisition center, rebuilding and refurbishing of Kaiama divisional police headquarters, training of youths in the areas of welding and fabrication, fashion and design, hairdressing, catering, renovation of Kaiama motor pack, etc., were the visible rural development projects embarked upon by the current Administration with mean scores of >3.00. Acquisition of skill, source of employment, understanding of foreign language, availability of market for my products, availability of pipe born water, leadership opportunity, a better security situation in my area, availability of good roads, and source of income were the benefits rural dwellers derived from the rural development projects with mean scores > 2.50. There is significant positive relationship between livelihood activities of rural dwellers and the benefits derived from rural development projects. The study concluded that benefits derived from rural development projects of the current administration in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area by rural dwellers significantly brings about a positive increase in the livelihood activities of the rural dwellers. It was therefore recommended that succeeding administrations in the LGA should ensure that such rural developmental projects are continuously embarked up on by as it offers great benefits to the rural dwellers.