Extant literature indicates that the Niger Delta region has struggled with developmental issues for ages. Efforts by the government to tackle the perennial underdevelopment have met with failure, a situation that has necessitated the institution of diverse research to unearth the causal factors. Leveraging a combination of historical analysis and a survey involving 206 respondents, this study brings to the fore the principal drivers of poverty in the region, with mismanagement of funds and the apparent lack of citizen engagement emerging as the most significant predictors of poverty and underdevelopment. The study thus highlights the need for optimal management of financial resources and also emphasizes the centrality of citizen engagement and participatory communication in community development. The study argues that while funding is critical to development, no substantial development can occur without the active participation of the citizens, from the conceptualization to the execution of strategies and plans for development.

中文翻译：

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尼日尔三角洲的悖论：审视贫困和欠发达的主要决定因素

现有文献表明，尼日尔三角洲地区长期以来一直在与发展问题作斗争。政府解决长期欠发达问题的努力失败了，这种情况需要开展各种研究来找出原因。本研究结合历史分析和涉及 206 名受访者的调查，突出了该地区贫困的主要驱动因素，资金管理不善和公民参与明显缺乏成为贫困和欠发达的最重要预测因素。因此，该研究强调了对财政资源进行优化管理的必要性，并强调了公民参与和参与性沟通在社区发展中的中心地位。该研究认为，虽然资金对发展至关重要，但从发展战略和计划的概念化到执行，如果没有公民的积极参与，就不可能实现实质性发展。