Expanding People's Might—Putting Social Infrastructure into the hands of the Community

Abstract

There is increasing evidence of the social infrastructure failing the rural poor. In view of the failure of the responsible agency to deliver on various fronts; it is essential to examine possible solutions to bridge the gaps in the provision of social infrastructure and services. Possible solutions like technological innovation and social mobilization through communitarian responses present challenges in replication and extension. Greater centralization or decentralization to address service delivery failure is limited, in that, it is known to lead to entrenchment of power—either at the global or local levels. These limitations enforce the quest for alternatives. This article presents one such alternative—of expanding people's control, by transferring infrastructure directly into the hands of the people, through community organizations. It also explores the necessary amendments and regulations that need be made before such transference takes place; and the necessary caveats.