Many studies in Nigeria have revealed that the Niger Delta Region is the
least served in terms of basic infrastructure such as electricity, roads, water
and sanitation. This study examined the impact of the European Union
Micro-Projects Program in the rural areas of Imo State, in the heart of the
Niger Delta Region. Five hundred and forty subjects were randomly selected
and interviewed in 15 rural communities that benefited from water and
sanitation projects between 2003 and 2007. Impacts were evaluated in the
areas of water supply and sanitation in terms of quality, quantity, distance
and time. Results showed considerable improvements in the quantity of water
supply (62%), water quality and sanitation (49%), reduction in distance from
water sources (87.1%), time for water collection (57.5%) and incidence in
water-borne diseases (40.7%). The success recorded in this externally funded
program resulted from many factors, of which the most important is the
adoption of the participatory development model by the donor agency in
project execution.