Involvement of Community-Based Associations towards Sustainable Settlement Infrastructure in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

To reduce the national housing deficit in Nigeria, numerous government housing estates were constructed and allocated for people to reside. Government housing estates in Nigeria are now characterized by gross discomfort due poor state of the infrastructures. This study appraised the involvement of Community-Based Organisation in the provision of infrastructural facilities in Mandate Housing Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State. Questionnaires were administered to officials of the Kwara State Housing Corporation and committee members of the CommunityBased

Organisations in the estate. Findings reveal that communal involvement led to the provision of culverts, parking facility, walkway, and streetlight while the utilities and services provided by associations also include electric pole, electric transformers, waste disposal, deepwell,

borehole, and security. The nvolvement strategies in community development projects by the associations include resource mobilization, special levy, physical participation, and payment of the regular levy. In contrast, factors influencing residents' participation in community projects include affordability to pay, the influence of neighbours and households, and the suitability of projects. Among the recommendations made for improved infrastructural facilities through community-based organisation are upgrading of amenities in the housing schemes, the connection of the schemes to public water mains, spatial control and review of developmental plan in the estates and housing schemes.