How Do You Use Information Technology

Below is a summary of my investigation on how Local Government Authorities in my country use computers to manage their information. This research was conducted by me during my master's degree course.

This investigation explored the availability and use of information technology in local government councils in Lagos State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The study investigated various information sources available to the local government as well as information technology tools available for the processing of information obtained from these sources. The study further investigated what aspects of information processing these tools were being used for. It identified the various methods used by the local governments in gathering information from the information sources, the various tools available for processing, storage and dissemination of such information.

The study, in addition, researched into the various uses the available computers are put in the various local governments as well as the kind of decisions these processed information assist in generating. Future plans towards acquiring modern information technology tools were also researched into.

The study found out that most of the local government councils still depend largely on the older technologies including manual typewriters, duplicating machines and paper files in filing cabinets. It also found out that in most of the local government councils in Lagos State, the use of modern information technology such as computers systems are very minimal and they are generally stand-alone systems. A few of the places where they were available, the staff were not adequately trained to take advantage of them in their operations.

The study found out, however, that in spite of the low-level usage of modern information technology and higher level of dependence on older technology, there was not found any serious plans on the ground for future computerization, as this largely depends on whoever is at the helm of affairs in the local governments. Some of the Local governments that hosted web sites on the Internet could not sustain it due to lack of funds and consequently were no longer online.

The study made a number of recommendations relating to the gradual computerisation of the local governments. These include putting in place a policy that will compel the local government to set apart a certain percentage of their funds for the development of information technology. It also recommends that they should embark on adequate staff training as well as putting in place necessary infrastructures that will facilitate efficient utilisation of these information technology tools to enhance the local government capacity in providing value-added services. The study also recommended that Nigerian local government councils should adopt the use of computers in their operations especially those in Lagos State that have so much to cope with in terms of larger population as well as larger volume of business activities.

What is happening in your own local community?