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SDN's Approach to Capacity building in the Delta

The failure of the state to deliver on its social contract has resulted in oil majors increasingly trying to fulfill the role of the state and provide basic developmental needs for communities. This has also failed and in some instances become a driver of local conflict and provided justification for those seeking to bring change through violence. Unlike other areas of the developing world the Niger Delta is not an issue of monetary poverty. The resources at the disposal of the state are plentiful, but those at the community level see very little benefit.

There is a realisation from all stakeholders that this needs to change. The problem is how to make this happen. SDN believes that proactive communities who present reasoned and tangible development priorities to local government, the NDDC and their state, stand a good chance of seeing some benefit. Therefore, SDN has worked closely with the Women, Youth and Community Development Committees of Erema and Otuasega to support them in identifying their own asset based development priorities and play a more proactive role in community governance.

This is necessary because it is imperative that work with communities recognises the fact that patrimonial relationships currently dominate the development focused initiatives of both state institutions and the oil majors. If communities are to break this negative cycle there must be local cohesion and a clear understanding of responsibilities and leadership. SDN will work closely with those appointed to lead Otuasega and Erema sustainable development action plans to ensure they actively play their roles in order to implement projects for the good of the community as a whole.

In order to ensure that SDN's community capacity building and resultant creation of a sustainable community development action plan targets the relevant stakeholders SDN will network with key position holders in local government, NDDC, the state and Regional Development Councils to ensure that community priorities are taken seriously and acted upon. SDN goal is to facilitate win-win situations for those willing to use their positions of development power and community groups who have collectivised their bargaining power.

SDN will encourage its partner communities to invest at least per cent of the cost of each development priority be it in kind or monetarily. This investment will increase the perception of local ownership and further the likelihood of implementing a suitable development priority. This will be reinforced by working with community groups to create their own mechanisms that ensure all development contracts in the community are transparently delivered. SDN expects that at least two developmental objectives will be achieved in each community each year. SDN believes that support for these communities will send a positive and tangible message to other community groups looking to take a proactive role in gaining their own development dividends.

Why adopt such and approach: The community remains central to life in the Niger Delta. Frustrations surrounding the delivery of development by both state and business actors drive the rising tensions in the region. For these to be overcome it is imperative that tangible local examples of self help initiatives and non violent advocacy deliver a development divided to communities that organise and proactively seek to improve their lives.

SDN's work so far in Otuasega and Erema has laid the foundations for the existing community structures to articulate their development desires to both state and non state actors. During 2008 / 2009 it is expected that this approach will help to overcome these communities detrimental legacy and demonstrate that the collectivisation of a communities bargaining power results in real improvements to their daily lives. SDN will continue not to directly deliver any infrastructural development benefits. It will act as a mobilisation and facilitating agent to support transparent development initiatives initiated by the community and supported by the state and business.