INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT (A CASE STUDY OF BAYELSA STATE)

INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT (A CASE STUDY OF BAYELSA STATE)

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The world is fast becoming a global village due to the immense success recorded in the growth of information communications technology that has made services universal. The public service has also expanded beyond the traditional areas of government to include commercial and industrial enterprises. This trend is observed even in the first, second and third world economics, although with varying degrees.

It is noted that post- independence Africanization  of colonial governments resulted in the indigenization of civil service personnel and enormous expansion in the central government departments, which make African countries have over twenty-five percent of their population in the public service. However, bureaucracies in modern regimes share a professional attitude as security of tenure has expanded the influence of public administrators over the making and implementation of policy.

1.2  STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The setback of keeping quality data or information for future use of public service is a major criteria to carryout effective service to the public. This factor makes public servants perceive information communication technology as a source of insecurity, distrust and fear to lose power or unfamiliarity with technology which hinder the public service.

Again lack of trained personnel of (ICT) information communication technology, to carryout effective service delivery is also a major problem facing our country Nigeria today, which brought about a total reliance on the developed countries.

1.3  OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The research objectives include the following:

1. To help in updating and expand knowledge on the use of information communication technology (ICT), to obtain information.
2. To know the important usage of the internet to access information, that will promote effective delivery of service.

• To provide some of the information that may be required for public service management.

1. To make some inferences for policy consideration based on the findings of the study.

1.4  SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research work is focused on information communication technology (ICT), and public service management, because of the rapid pace of technological development has credited increasingly more powerful information and communication technologies that are capable of radically transforming the public service.

However, success of which have drastically improved the over all service delivery in the world.

1.5  SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

This work will provide measures and ideas of making use of information communication technology to carryout effective and quality service to the public, in this 21st century of information age. Since the world is fast becoming a global village therefore information is necessary to public service management as a strategic drive to reshape the society.

However, the work will contribute to knowledge in other to facilitate the globalization and deliver solutions in the areas of education, economy, political and help government to provide significant value added services to the citizens. Also, the area of time saving for the public servant to carryout an availing different services offered by ministries and parastatals of government.

1.6  DEFINITION OF TERMS

These terms as defined below will be used in this work:

1. i) Information Communication Technology (ICT)

It is the study of the technology used to handle information and aid communication. The phrase was coined by the new National Curriculum documents for the U.K, in 2000. It is the combination of informatics technology with other related technologies specially communication technology. ICT is an umbrella term that includes all technologies for the manipulation and communication of information.

Consequently, the term is sometimes used in preference to information technology (IT), particularly in two communities, education and government. Besides the common usage is often assumed that (ICT) is synonymous with information technology, but ICT provide automatic means of handling information.

1. ii) Public Service Management

It may refers to the service provided directly of indirectly, by a government to it’s citizens. Also the system of governmental departments, agencies and employees in the public sector, which also called civil service.

Besides, public services is the engine room of government or governance that operates with professionals and non-professionals, from whom it demands a special aptitude, training, discipline and habits, because it is the major instrument it’s policies, programmes and plans. Public servants are paid from public funds, and therefore open to public scrutiny by members of the society.

REFERENCES

Andersen, 1999: Reengineering public sector organizations using information technology. In Heeks, R (Ed), Reinvesting Government in the information age: International practice in IT – enabled public sector reform. London: Routledge.

APSA, 2002: APSAU, 2002. Benchmarking E-Governance: A Global Perspective. New York: United Nations.

Asgarkhani, 2005: Digital government and it’s effectiveness in public management reform. Review. V 7.465-487.

Basteson, 1972: Steps to an Ecology of mind. New York: Ballontine.