Public Participation in Development Control Activities in Awka City, Anambra State, Nigeria

One of the vital tools for effective management and planning of towns and cities is development control and this requires the efforts of both the government and citizens. Public participation has been identified as a catalyst for effective and sustainable developmental policy implementation in a people-oriented holistic approach at minimal cost. Planning and production of planning schemes or master plans is normally followed by the major task of proper implementation and monitoring so as to ensure that developers and indeed the people of the area, adhere strictly to the provisions of the plan, using development control machineries. Since these plans are for the people, the need for their participation cannot be over emphasized in securing of higher compliance level at minimal costs. This study sought to examine the level of public participation in the development control activities of Anambra State Urban Development Board (ASUDEB) so as to determine improvement measures for its activities in Awka city. The study employed secondary data from the official records of ASUDEB and primary data from structured interview of staff and urban developers, randomly selected to form a sample size of 400 determined using Taro Yamane formulae. It was revealed that between 2002 and 2011 year period, Anambra State Urban Development Board (ASUDEB) had no public participation programs in development control activities in the city. The result revealed a high rate of demolition exercises with many developers as victims. Plans submission for approval got the highest patronage of public involvement at 97.2% rate while complaints and reports had Encroachment at 0.3%; Trespass at 0.6%; Blockage of Access roads/ Drainages at 0.6%; and building contraventions at 1.3%. Urban developers in the city expressed dissatisfaction in this type of development control approach. Majority of them termed it embarrassing and extortive. They expressed willingness to participate more in development control activities while calling for transparency in these activities. Key words: Public participation, Development, Development control, and Development control activities