INTRODUCTION

This is a proposal for a community development project for Ekehuan town which is
situated at Oredo Local Government in Edo State.

Nestled in the heart of Edo State, Nigeria, Ekehaun is a bustling city that offers a unique
blend of history, culture, and modernity. With its rich heritage, friendly locals, and diverse
attractions, Ekehuan is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Ekehuan is a vibrant city located in the Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. It is
situated approximately 10 kilometres south east of Benin City, the capital of Edo State.
Ekehuan is known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal destination
for both tourists and residents alike.

The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, with various festivals and events celebrated
throughout the year. Visitors can immerse themselves in the local traditions by attending
the Igue Festival, which showcases the ancient Benin Kingdom’s customs and rituals.
Additionally, Ekehuan is home to several historical landmarks, including the Oba of Benin
Palace and the National Museum, where artifacts and artworks from the region’s history are
on display.

Ekehuan is located in the southern part of Nigeria, within the Niger Delta region. This
region is known for its lush vegetation, diverse wildlife, and the presence of the Niger
River, which provides a vital waterway for transportation and commerce. The Niger Delta
region is also rich in oil and gas reserves, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economy.

NEEDS ASSESMENT/PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

It is imperative to note that there can’t be a solution finding when there is no problem. It is
a problem identification that will amount to a solution finding. In this, the highlighting of
problems and needs assessment that are found lacking and wanting in a Ekehuan
community, streamlining the Ekehuan community in Oredo Local Government Area, is
important, so as to give a background understudy to the lacunas in form of basic
amenities/social amenities or infrastructure which the community lack that needs attention
so as to improve the wellbeing and state of the community. This will bring me to the
enumeration of the needs assessment and problems found therein in Umelu Community.
 i. High level of unemployment
ii. Lack of good and motorable Roads within streets most streets
iii. High level of self-employed without Government assistance
iv. High proportion of literate population with minimum secondary level of
education
v. Lack of Clean Water/Borehole
vi. Lack of a conducive learning environment for the pupils/students of the
local/community school.
vii. Unavailability of teachers (well trained teachers)
viii. Lack of access to loan by self employed person
ix. Mudflow/ flooding ( lack of good erosion system )
x. Lack of proper waste disposal
xi. Massive migration out of the community yearly

PROJECT SELECTION

There can’t be an oversight because of the listed needs assessment that is imperative in
Ekehuan community as I cannot really proffer solution to all the problems identified but
according to my assessment as a community development personnel, and with clarified
acknowledgement from the members of the community, I would streamline the project
selection to the basic and social amenities aspects of the problem identification which are;

i. The need of creating a community borehole for the indigenes of Ekehuan

Community.
ii. Provision of skilled, professional and well trained teachers.
iii. Provision of employment opportunity within the community
iv. Provision of proper waste disposal within the Ekehuan community

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Give a background information

i. To enable the community members have a situated location where they can get
clean and free water for any use.
ii. To determine the usefulness of a community borehole to the indigenes of
Ekehuan Community.
iii. To examine the effectiveness and use of the community borehole to the
community.
 iv. To enable the Pupils/Student have a meaningful and worthy education experience
that well skilled and professional teachers offer.

DESIGNED PLAN OF ACTION/IMPLEMENTATION METHOD

The following are the proactive steps/actions that would be taken to enable the success of
this development project in Umelu Community.

i. Needs Assessment
a. Conduct a comprehensive survey to identify the community’s water needs and
educational requirements.
b. Prioritize areas with limited actions to clean water and quality education

ii. Community Engagement

a. Organize town hall meetings to involve community members in the decision-
making process.
b. Establish a community committee to oversee the projects and ensure local
ownership

iii. Borehole Project

a. Collaborate with local authorities to obtain necessary permits and approvals
b. Hire a qualified hydro-geologist to identify suitable borehole locations
c. Select a reputable drilling contractor with experience in similar projects
d. Implement a robust water quality testing plan to ensure safety.

iv. Resource Mobilization

a. Seek partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and private
organisations.
b. Launch fundraising campaigns within and outside the community.
c. Explore grant opportunities for community development projects.
v. Construction and Maintenance
a. Supervise borehole construction to ensure compliance with standards
b. Implement a regular maintenance schedule and train local technicians
c. Educate the community on sustainable water usage practices.
vi. Teachers Recruitment
a. Collaborate with local education authorities to identify staffing needs
b. Advertise teaching positions locally and regionally
c. Prioritize hiring teachers with relevant qualifications and a commitment to
community development.
 vii. Teachers’ Training and Development
a. Provide continuous professional development opportunities for teachers
b. Facilitate workshops on modern teaching methodologies and community
engagement
c. Foster a supportive environment for collaborative learning among teachers
viii. Infrastructure for Education
a. Assess exiting school infrastructure and address immediate needs.
b. Seek partnerships for the construction of additional classrooms or facilities
c. Ensure that schools are equipped with necessary teaching materials and
resources

ix. Financial Assistance And Empowerment Program

a. Establish job for qualified persons in various field and works of life.
b. Create empowerment and skills acquisition programme to assist those
residing with the community.
c. Creation of access to loan by members of the community

x. Monitoring and Evaluation

a. Establish a monitoring and evaluation framework for both projects
b. Regularly assess the impact of the borehole on water access and the quality of
education.
c. Use feedback from the community to make necessary adjustments
xi. Documentation and Reporting
a. Maintain detailed records of project activities, expenditures and outcomes
b. Provide regular updates to stakeholders, including the community, donors and
local authorities.
c. Share success stories and lessons learned to inspire similar initiatives in other
communities.

By following this plan, we can create a sustainable and community-driven approach to

improving water access, education and other environmental issue affecting those residing in
the Ekehuan Community.

EVALUATION OF THE PROJECTS

In line with the objectives of the project (earlier stated), I was able to deduce the
implementation method of the designed plan of action which are in sync with the objectives
stated above to ensure sustainable and positive impact on the overall well-being of the
community.