AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF ICTS IN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION: A STUDY OF RESIDENTS OF OWERRI METROPOLIS

The study assessed the impact of ICTS in development communication among residents of Owerri metropolis. Thestudy was anchored on diffusion of innovation theory and participatory theory. Employing survey research design,sample size of 384 was derived using the Wimmer and Dominick sample size calculator from the population of555,500. The multi-stage sampling technique served as the sampling technique with questionnaire as the instrumentfor data collection. Findings showed that the respondent’s level of ICT literacy is moderate; their level of ICT usageis very high at 49.2%. At an average mean value of 3.5, respondent’s knowledge level towards ICT as a tool fordevelopment communication was found to be very high. ICTs have been greatly impactful in fostering developmentcommunication on the practices of residents of Owerri Metropolis at an average mean of 3.4. Also, digitaldivide/illiteracy between the information rich and information poor; cost; the sophisticated nature of ICTs; andcryptic network connection/cryptic power supply are found to be the challenges against the impact of ICTs as a toolfor fostering development communication at an average mean of 3.3. The study, concluded that, for developmentcommunication to be fully attained, the adoption and the use of the information and communication technologiesbecomes a necessary evil that will enhance development in different areas of human endeavour. The study,recommended inter-alia that, the government should intervene in mitigating the challenges bedevilling the use ofICTs in fostering development communication.