ICT Access and Use in Local Governance in Babati Town Council, Tanzania

Abstract

This research examined access and use of ICT resources and services in Babati Town Council, Manyara Region, Tanzania. The research addressed a number of key issues relating to access and use of ICT by the local government workers and officials. Among the major issues that were addressed in this study included, how ICT is used to meet the information needs of the local government workers and officials. The extent to which ICT has made positive impacts on the way the local government workers and officials seek and use information. The study assessed the ICT infrastructure in the Babati Town Council, human capacity and political will and levels of funding to implement ICT-related programmes. The overall research design integrated both qualitative and quantitative designs. Data for the study was collected through questionnaires, face-to-face and informant interviews, official records and feedback workshops.  The findings of this study revealed that there is poor access and connectivity to access ICT services and resources in the council, especially at work places. Furthermore, the results revealed that local government officials and workers are neither adequately knowledgeable nor skilled in ICT use. The study makes the following recommendations: First, the internet connectivity at the Town Council offices be improved to increase accessibility, and use of the internet services by local governmental officials and workers. Second, training of local government officials and workers on the use of ICT facilities be planned and implemented so as to increase knowledge and skills on access and use of ICT services. Third, budgetary allocation for ICT related projects and programmes in the council for connectivity, training, equipment be increased. Finally, in order to improve accessibility of ICT services in the council, sources of power should be improved and a library should be built.