Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Sub-Saharan African countries report high levels of growth and GDP per capita and yet they are unable to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) such as quality education and health. The paper argued that GDP might not be sufficient for measuring development because the funds obtained may not necessarily be used to improve the quality of life of worse off communities. Even with a constituent level of GDP, the problem of poverty and underdevelopment is becoming more intractable in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper focused on the Challenges facing Sub-Saharan African countries in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This was discussed after revealing growth in GDP and inequality trends in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using examples from countries like Nigeria, it is evident that many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are unlikely to achieve their MDG targets due to persistence of poverty and other challenges such as corruption and mal-administration of funds. Moreover, the required growth to substantially reduce poverty is too high by international standards. The paper concluded by concurring with the view that redistribution of the growth increment of income is more likely to be effective in reducing poverty than growth in GDP alone. Therefore while growth in GDP may be prone to poverty reduction, it should be complemented with policies to ensure investment and broad participation, reduce violence, root out corruption and increase investment in infrastructure. The paper recommends that countries' development strategies must take into consideration national realities in each country rather than adopting targets and policies from the western world.

The Greek philosopher Aristotle averred that state exists for public goods and continues to exist for the greater good of humanity. Democracy on the other hand gives people opportunity to determine how they are governed. Naturally, the electorate or body of Nigerian masses look up to government for democracy dividends. The Nigerian National Assembly in response to the yearnings of their constituents for development/ federal presence demanded and got "Constituency Project" fund. Since the inception of constituency project in Nigeria there have been misconceptions, misinterpretations and judgement of the constituency project administration. This and indeed some other factors have painted the hallowed chambers of National Assembly in bad light. Therefore, this paper seeks to find out the origin, management etc. of constituency projects in Nigeria. It adopts desk research method; drawing data mainly from secondary source and adopts analytical research in arriving at finding. It found that members of the National Assembly merely identify the needs of the constituents and recommend same to the executive during budgeting. Ultimately, they have no direct control over their implementation; hence the award, financing and supervision of constituency projects are the preserves of appropriate agencies other than the National Assembly. Findings also show that other democracies have similar arrangements in place.

Generally, public health facilities in developing countries tend to be underfunded and inefficient. In South

The pursuit of development has had a major impact on the environment and on existing social structures. During the 1950s and 1960s, most nations were preoccupied with economic growth and energy consumption, which led to social and environmental issues being overlooked. Thus, traditional societies have been devastated and extreme environmental damage occurring such as pollution and inadequate water supply, transportation and sewer infrastructure problems amongst others. If environmental damage remains unchecked, the achievements of development and even essential ecosystems would be undermined. This paper reviewed the link between growth trends and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thereafter, the impact of environmental degradation was discussed including strategies for sustainable energy production and consumption. These were based on evidence from South Africa and India and provided the benchmark for discussing ways in which energy production and consumption can take place sustainably. The paper notes that in developing and implementing strategies, emerging countries do not necessarily have to be western in their sustainable development policies. Rather, each country has to have sustainable development policies that are peculiar to its own circumstance. The paper recommends community participation and accountability of institutions as necessary for ensuring that social development is integrated into the economic and environmental elements of sustainable development.