ANALYSIS OF AN APPROACH TO DEVELOPING VIABLE POLICY - A CASE-STUDY OF A UNIVERSITY LINKAGE PROJECT

This article is a companion to the preceding article and seeks to analyse in greater detail the approach to policy amelioration followed by the Jos Plateau Environmental Resources Development Programme (JPERDP). This case study is based on the personal experiences and reflections of a member of the JPERDP and presents an alternative opinion. Analysis suggests that aspects of the process to promote a 'people orientation' tended to ignore social, organizational and political factors. Also, the style of action research that was followed often did not take sufficient account of the impact that the personal equation can have on development initiatives. Consequently the 'viability' of the proposed basis for a policy on mineland reclamation is doubtful. The article also presents lessons on the role of the academic and expatriate in the development process and stresses the importance of institutional capacity building.