Leveraging digital technologies to support inclusive accessible and innovative Parliamentary Services in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Parliamentarians in Nigeria are saddled with parliamentary activities such as making laws, sponsoring bills, performing oversight functions and many more to bring democratic dividends to their respective constituencies. The advancement of digital tools has brought implementation of democratic engagement and innovation to parliamentary services in Nigeria. This study investigates digital tools to support inclusive, accessible, and innovative parliamentary services in Cross River State, Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of accessibility, usage and influence of digital tools such as: smartphone, IPAD computer, virtual tools, digital network, internet, projector, and digital library towards innovative parliamentary services in Cross River State House of Assembly. Survey research method was used for the study while twenty-five (25) lawmakers in Cross River State House of Assembly were the respondents for the study. Three research questions were proposed to guide the study, questionnaire and interview were instrument used for data collection, SPSS was used for data analysis and finding reveals that, digital tools that are more prevalent among the parliamentarian was smartphone. Majority of parliamentarian were not acquainted with digital tools to communicate to their constituent. Very few numbers made use of social media. It was therefore recommended that they should be more enlightenment and training on effective use of digital tool for parliamentary work.

Keywords: Digital Technologies, Inclusive Library services, Innovative Library services, Parliament libraries, Special libraries, Nigeria.