INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN LAGOS STATE (2007-2015)
ABSTRACT
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a veritable tool to support the activities of governmental institutions and agencies with the objectives of delivering effective service and information in a more convenient, citizen centre way and to curb corrupt practices. The objectives of this study is to examine the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on local government administration in Nigeria with particular reference to some selected local government areas in Lagos state.
The study adopted survey design. The study population was the twenty (20) local governments in Lagos State. Six (6) local government areas were selected using purposive sampling technique being the first local governments where ICT was introduced Ikeja, Alimosho, Oshodi-Isolo, Ojo, AmuwoOdofin and Badagry. From the total population of three thousand two hundred and sixty seven (3,267) staff of Ikeja, Alimosho, Oshodi-Isolo, Ojo, AmuwoOdofin and Badagry, the sample of 653 respondents (111,113,109,109, 107and 104 respectively) with 20% of total population. Primary and secondary data was used. Primary data included: structured and unstructured questionnaires and interview while secondary data include: published journals, text books, newspapers, magazines and internet materials. The questionnaire was self-administered to the staff of local governments and in depth interview was also conducted in the six local government areas with five (5) principal officials (Council Manager, Chairman, Secretary, ICT Director and Finance Director). Simple percentage and Bar Chart method was used to analyzed and interpret the data while Ch-Square and correlation analysis were used to test the hypotheses at 0.5 level of significance.
The finding revealed that Information and Communication Technology (ICT)increases employee’s performance in the six local government areas (r=0.166, p<0.5). There is a positive relationship between the use of ICT and transparency and accountability in the six local government areas. Also, the use of ICT enhance effective service delivery in the six local governments. (X2 =37.026 > X2t 9.488, df = 0.05)
The study concluded by recommending among others that there is need to redefine the role of local governments in the state so as to strengthen its capacity to manage effective change of complexity. Therefore, the study recommends that there is need to build managerial capacity in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that will enhance effective service delivery in the Local government system.
Keywords: Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Local government, Institutions, Public Service delivery, Citizens.