ABSTRACT
Due to the spread
of mobile phone technology in rural areas, information and communication
technologies (ICT) have demonstrated the positive and significant impact they
can have on economic development by improving the economic environment in rural
areas. ICT provide access to market and business information, bring financial
services literally to the hands of rural consumers, help local communities
organize and link themselves, and, through the connection with others, exchange
know-how and ideas. This paper explores the roles that information and
communication technologies (ICTs) have to play in attracting the development
into the rural areas in developing countries, focusing particularly on Onicha
East Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, Nigeria that is currently least
affected by the latest advances in the ‘digital revolution’. Which is aimed at
looking beyond the current ‘digital divide’ debate that focuses on information
disparities to assess the potential role of ICTs in the context of current
rural development paradigms. As information and
communication technology is a booming sector of the economy which presently
engaged the younger generations of Nigerians, it can as well be used to improve
the economic development of Nigeria and Nigerians. The data for this study was
collected with the use of self-structured questionnaires and analyzed using
Yaro Yamani Techniques. The research work revealed that ICT facilities have not
really been in frequent use in the study area. Therefore, it is recommended that
government should create enabling environment for the establishment of more ICT
facilities so as to foster rapid development within the study area.
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) is the processing and distribution of data using computer
hardware and software, telecommunication and digital electronics (Kaufmann,
2014). The acronym Information Technology (IT) or in a broader form of
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is fast becoming a domestic
component of every society. In recent time, Information Technology has grown to
become a subject of great importance and concern to mankind; it is rapidly
consolidating global networks and international trade with multiplier effects
in all segment of the world economy. The potential benefit of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) to make a difference in the lives of people
globally is a fact that has come to be accepted by all. With development and
innovation going hand in hand and knowledge becoming one of the most important
factors in determining the standard of living of people everywhere, most
advanced economics and companies today are those that play the knowledge card
as a tool to drive development (ITNewsAfrica.com). It is a common believe that
no individual can grow or develop beyond what he knows. The development level
of any nation is the sum total of what its citizens know and what they do with
what they know. Information made available cheaply and widely is a veritable
tool to breaking loose from the clutches of poverty. ICTs provide this viable
platform for generation, adoption and exploitation of knowledge to create
wealth especially as it releases people’s creative potentials and knowledge
that is embodied in them. IT provides citizens with information about, for
instance market price and social services such as health knowledge and
education. ICTs provides a viable platform for using sophisticated technology solutions to many of the
problems of people everywhere especially in the face of grinding poverty faced
by many people in our country today. The realization of the potential impact of
ICT on human which is capable of transforming any individual, society or
country from financial and economic deficiencies to financial and economic
independence is the main purpose for this project work. Any nation that
neglects the development and empowerment of the rural communities should not
expect meaningful development. (Adebayo, et
al 2015) reiterated that "the third world countries have recently come
to realize that unless the rural areas are well developed, hardly would any
meaningful development occur in these countries." Development can only be
effective if rural dwellers have access to the relevants, diverse information
for their activities. Efforts must be made to give access to knowledge and
information by non-literates who constitute the majority of rural dwellers. (Castells,
2014) says that, "Rural development is a basis for economic development
and information are important ingredients in development process. People in
rural areas whether literate or not should have access to any kind of
information which will help them to become capable and productive in their
social and political obligations, to become better informed citizens
generally." Similarly, (Elsevier, 2014) holds the view that"
information must as a matter of policy, be seen as a basic resource for
development if durable structures are to be provided for effective access and
utilization, which entails information capturing, coordination, processing, and
dissemination". In the Nigerian context, accessibility to information by
both urban and rural communities is stated in its development plans. But with
emphasis to the support of government propaganda and many programmes that are
not fully relevant to the development of rural communities. The information
received by the rural dwellers is either not reliable or distorted in the
process of transmission. This unhealthy situation constitutes a major
impediment, which keep the rural communities in Nigeria and other developing
countries far away from development indicators. The developed countries undertake
rural projects to reduce the gap between the urban and the rural communities to
the barest minimum. Information source is an institution or individual that
creates or brings about a message (Heeks, 2013). The characteristics of a good
information source are relevance, timelessness, accuracy, cost effectiveness,
reliability, usability, exhaustiveness and aggregation level (Heeks, 2013).
According to (Ndukwe, 2015), the efficiency of technologies generated and
disseminated depends on effective communication which is the key process of
information dissemination. There is a general consensus among experts in ICTs
facilities (Oleka, 2014) that; information is a factor to be reckoned with in
improving the agricultural services in any state. Therefore, it is the
provision of timely information that will occupy a prominent position in the
hierarchy of priorities in Nigeria. (David, 2014) highlighted (that, "much
as agricultural information is important making it available for the intended
end-users is equally important". Hence one of the agencies or services put
in place to diffuse agricultural information in Nigeria is agricultural
extension services.
1.2
Statement of the Problems
Over the years, deliberate, though
ineffective efforts have been made by various regimes in the Nigerian
government to bring about ICTs facilities and infrastructural development
without much to show for it, much of the failure can be attributed to the
treatment of information delivery by the Nigerian government. . Information is
essential ingredients in rural development programs but Nigerian rural seldom
feels the impact of ICTs facilities and infrastructural innovations either
because they may not have access to such vital ICTs facilities or because it is
poorly disseminated. The non-provision of ICTs facilities and infrastructural,
lack of available teaching aids, Electricity, non-provision of essential
inputs, capital as well as personnel motivation and evaluation of ICTs
facilities programmes are some of the key factors that has greatly limited ICTs
facilities in the rural development in Nigeria. This research therefore is to
investigate the impact of Information and Communication Technology on the
development of rural areas in Nigeria with a special focus on Onicha East L.G.A
of Ebonyi State.
1.3
Objectives of Study
The broad objective of this study
is to examine the impact of ICT in the development of rural areas in Onicha
East L.G.A of Ebonyi State. The specific objectives are to:
1.
Examine the use of Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) facilities and infrastructures in Onicha East L.G.A., Ebonyi State;
2.
Examine impact of Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) facilities in the study area;
3.
Examine the challenges facing the use of Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in the study area;
4.
Examine how social norms and governmental legislations
contribute to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities and
infrastructure in the study area.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The study will reveal the level of
development attracted by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in
Onicha East L.G.A. It will also encourage people living in Onicha East L.G.A on
the need for utilization of information resources to develop the rural area.
This study is also relevant to
rural area residents through the advancement of knowledge in Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) facilities and infrastructures. It will equally be of great
benefit to the policy/decision makers, government in making policies and laws
that will foster development in the rural areas through information and
communication technology.
The result of this study if
implemented will help to educate and train the rural dwellers on the benefit of
the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in their
day-to-day activity. It will also serve as a material for further study on the
topic of interest or related topic.
1.5 Scope
of the Study
The study is focused on
ascertaining the impact of information and communication technology on the
development of Onicha East L.G.A of Ebonyi State.
1.6 Research
Questions
1.
What are the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
facilities and infrastructure that they have access to in Onicha East L.G.A of
Ebonyi State?
2.
How often do you obtain information from the following
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities?
3.
What are benefits of using Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) facilities in the study area?
4.
What are the problems or challenges being faced by the
indigenes of Onicha East L.G.A on Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
facilities and infrastructure?
1.7 Definition of Terms
Communication: A process by which information is exchanged between
individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.
Facility: A place, amenity, or piece of equipment provided for a
particular purpose.
Information: The communication or reception of
knowledge or intelligence. Knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or
instruction.
Infrastructure: The basic physical and organizational structures and
facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation
of a society or enterprise.
Technology: The branch of knowledge that deals with the creation
and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the
environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering,
applied science, and pure science.
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