Establishment of ICT utilization and needs in service delivery in local government authorities in Tanzania.

This research sought to establish ICT utilization and needs in service delivery in Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania, to find out available infrastructures, their needs and their deployment in LGAs. Manyoni District Council was chosen to represent rural LGAs, whereas Kinondoni Municipal Council represented urban LGAs. This research used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. A total of 171 respondents from both LGAs provided information which was used in this research through questionnaires in four levels (general staff, Head of departments, Councilors & Ward Executive Officers and Business people). Interviews were conducted to get qualitative information, also observation method was used. Findings revealed that there are adequate ICT infrastructures in LGAs to support current utilization. Also there were enough qualified staffs at LGAs headquarters. However, there are no direct activities aided by ICT during services delivery in rural and remote areas. It was also obvious that there was a need to utilize ICT during service delivery like sending administrative directives, meeting minutes to councilors, agricultural directives, diagnosis solutions to health centers, education materials to schools and others. No difference was found on ICT utilization for urban compared to rural LGA. It is recommended that LGAs should begin the process in phases to equip their Wards with ICT infrastructures so as to support service delivery in rural and remote areas. Also low current electric power like solar and wind driven generators should be considered to be provided in villages to power ICT equipment.