Continental J. Social Sciences 5 (3): 11-22, 2012 ISSN:

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1 Continental J. Social Sciences 5 (3): 11-22, 2012 ISSN: Wilolud Journals, Printed in Nigeria doi: /cjsocsci MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND THE 7 POINT AGENDA OF NIGERIA S FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ROLES OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS Ayodele, Elijah Olusegun Department of Quantity Surveying, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria elivicbest@yahoo.com ABSTRACT This paper brought to light the roles of Quantity Surveyors in the Millennium Development Goals and the 7 point agenda of Nigeria s Federal Government with focus on the Construction works content. It discussed the macro and micro economic functions of the Quantity Surveyor in the three divisions of the Construction Industry, namely: Building, Civil Engineering and Heavy Engineering. The study showed that the eight goals in the Millennium Development come under five major concerned sector of the economy. Health took (3 out of the 8 goals); Education (took 2 out of the 8 goals); Agriculture (1 out of 8 goals); Infrastructure (took 1 ½ of the 8 goals); Economics (took ½ of 1 of the 8 goals). It is also observed that the 7 point agenda is the modified Nigerian version of the Millennium Development Goals and they have clear linkages. It has been established by Opawale, Awodele and Oyediran (2006) and NIQS (2003) that the Quantity Surveyor is the expert in cost, procurement and project management in construction works. It is therefore recommended that nations of the world that have engaged in the Millennium Development Goals or it s version should engage the full services of Quantity Surveyors in their construction works, so that they can have value for money. Keywords: Millennium Development Goals (MDG), 7 Point Agenda, Agriculture, Health, Education, Quantity Surveyor, Infrastructure, Nigeria INTRODUCTION The opinion that economic growth automatically gives rise to poverty reduction has been proved wrong by lessons learnt recently whereby Nigeria has witnessed GDP growth of 6% on the average between 2005 and 2007 while poverty rates remained high at 54%. It is therefore evident that private sector led economy, with growth oriented policies alone will not address the distributional concerns of income inequalities, unequal access to social services by the poor, (Feese 2008). There is therefore the need for Government to fashion out strategies for direct interventions in the provision of physical infrastructure and social services that are targeted at impacting positively on the lives of the poor. This realization calls for a paradigin shift in development policy planning and management to strike a balance between the development agenda and social agenda. It is with respect to this that at the millennium submit in September 2000, the largest gathering of world leaders in history adopted the UN millennium declaration committing their nations to global partnership to reduce poverty, improve health and promote peace, human rights gender equality and environmental sustainability (Ayeba Enenimiette 2009). The UN Declaration of year 2000 ushered in the MDG s based planning, with 189 Heads of Government committing themselves to halve poverty by year 2015, which is the target year for achieving the Millennium Development Goals consisting of 8 goals, 18 targets and 48 indicators (Feese, 2008). For the goals of the Millennium Declarations to be achieved, according to Ayeba Enenimiette (2008) different methods required are: Countries should map out the key divisional and underlying determinants of extreme poverty by region, locality and gender as best possible with available data. Needs assessment of each country should be converted into a 10 year framework for action, including public investment, management and financing Each country should elaborate a 3 to 5 year MDG s based poverty reduction strategy within the context of the 10 year framework. 11

2 In Nigeria during the Obasanjo s Federal Government, the MDG s in 2004 are divided into the three tiers of government, viz: National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS); and Local (Govt) Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LEEDS). NEEDS is Nigeria s plan (toeing the line of MDG s) for prosperity. NEEDS recognizes that the government must work not only to improve incomes but to tackle the many social and political factors that contribute poverty and social exclusion, (NEEDS Nigeria 2004). The success of NEEDS rest on three pillars: empowering our people, creating an environment that enables us to make most of our natural resources and flaik for business and reforming our laws and the way our government works. The weakness discovered in NEEDS Nigeria (2004) has given birth to NEEDS-2. According to Feese (2009) The ushering in of NEEDS-2 to be implemented between 2008 and 2011 was based on strategic considerations towards addressing some of the weaknesses and issues raised in the first strategy document NEEDS-1. These weaknesses included the lack of quantifiable Benchmark for measuring progress and resource envelope for determining funding gaps. NEEDS-2 derives it s inspiration from MDGS targets, and the MDGS have been intergraded into the documents with specific measurable milestones. According to Feese (2008) with the coming of the administration of President Yar adua in May 2007, the 7 Point Agenda was introduced focusing on Power and Energy, Transportation, Food Security, Education, Health Creation, Land Reforms and Security. This is currently the Nigeria s version of the M.D.G. The 7-Point Agenda has clear linkages to the global MDG Goals and targets as shown below: Table 1: MDG and 7 POINT AGENDA S/N 7 POINT AGENDA MDG GOALS/TARGETS 1 Power and Energy G1/T1; G2/T3; G3/T4; G7/T9& T11; G8/T18 2 Food Security G1/T1&T2; G2/T3; G3/T4&T8; G7/T10; G8/T12 3 Wealth Creation G1/T1; G2/T3; G3/T4; G4/T5; G5/T6; G8/T16; T17&T18 G1/T1; G2/T3; G3/T4; G4/T5; G5/T6; G8/T16; T17&T18 4 Transportation 5 Land Reforms G1/T2; G7/T9; T10 & T11 6 Security G3/T4; G8/T12 7 Education Source: (Feese 2008) G1/T1; G2/T3; G3/T4; G4/T5; G5/T6; G6/T17&T8, ; T7&T9; G8/T16&T18 According to Feese (2008) currently the NPC, National Planning Commission is in the process of harmonizing the NEED-2 document with the 7-Point Agenda into a long term development plan (vision ) in line with the MDGS. Vision has the target of making Nigeria to be one if the first twenty best economy in the world by year The Millennium Development Goals, Target and indicators are stated in the appendix. Background to the Study To underscore the commitment of the current administration of Nigeria to the 7-Point Agenda President Yar adua appointed a Senior Special Assistant on MDGS and also inaugurated Presidential Committee to monitor and assess progress towards the MDGS through the various poverty reduction programmes in the country using the Paris Club DEBT RELIEF GAINS (DRG). The composition of the Committee includes the Private Sector, Civil Society, National Assembly, Governors, Donors and Key MDG line ministries (Ibrahim 2009). 12

3 The Debt Relief Gains of about N100bn annually is to be utilized in the MDG project in Nigeria. Table 2 shows the sectoral distribution of DRG ( ). Table 2: Sectoral Distribution of DRG ( ) SECTOR 2006 (Nbn) 2007 (N bn) 2008 (N bn) Education Health Agriculture Water Resources Power & Steel Housing FCT Women Affairs Youth NACA Works Environment Conditional Grants Safety Nets Monitoring & Evaluation Capacity Building Total Source: Ibrahim (2008), Debt Relief Gains (DRG) According to NIQS (2003) construction projects require huge investment in capital and other resources, as outlined above. NIQS (2003) has discovered that in Nigeria Quantity Surveyors are only being employed as consultants on building works and not employed in Civil Engineering and Heavy Engineering works as consultants. This is despite abundant evidence the world over and apparent in the curriculum of Quantity Surveying programme that Quantity Surveyors possess requisite skills, education and training to ensure value for money on all construction works be they, Building, Civil and Heavy Engineering works. This study is put in place to alert the public especially Nigerian governments at various levels of the roles Quantity Surveyor can play in bringing Construction works in the MDGs and the 7 Point Agenda to fruition. Construction Industry According to Obadan & Uga (1996) Construction is a multifarious and multifaceted activity with two main classes of product. Firstly one building which embrace housing, offices, hospitals, factories etc. Secondly is civil works which involves, transport, irrigation, power generation etc. Ayodele (2005) sees construction industry as consisting of the activities of buildings Mechanical and Electrical works, Civil Engineering works and Heavy Engineering works. Recent studies showed that 1/10 of the global economy is devoted to construction and operation of residential and office buildings, 1/6 to ½ of the worlds major resources are consumed by construction and related industries (Rainer Nordberg 2001). Building industry alone consumes 40% of the worlds energy, 25% of forest timber, 16% of world s fresh water, 7% of sulphur oxides produced by fossils fuel are produced through generation of electricity used to power homes and offices. 50% of CO 2 emissions (mainly in industrialized countries) are as a result of operations in building in-use (heating and cooling). Indoor air quality is inadequate in 30% of buildings around the world. Current practices in construction industries tilting towards a better living condition in a sustainable manner is inadequate (Ayeba - Enentmitte 2008). 13

4 Construction Industry versus MDG and 7 Point Agenda Each of the goals and Agenda points are put in place to perform a set of objectives/targets. According to Ayodele (2008) activities and operations cannot commence to fulfill those goals and agenda points, without first putting the building, roads, telecommunication, bridges etc, in place. So therefore construction industry must do it s work, before any operation or activities to fulfill those goals and agenda, begin to appear. Construction industry therefore has a strong role to play in the Millennium Development Goals and the 7-point Agenda. The primary area of operation of the Quantity Surveyor is the construction industry. The Quantity Surveyor who is the cost, procurement and project management expert of the construction industry (NIQS 2003) is indispensable in the MDG and 7 Point Agenda. MDG s and the concerned Sectors The major concerned sector that will to a large extent fulfill the goals of the MDG are highlighted below: Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Hunger & Poverty Major concerned Sector AGRICULTURE Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education Major Concerned Sector EDUCATION Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women Major Concerned Sector EDUCATION Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality Major Concerned Sector HEALTH Goal 5: Improve Material Health Major Concerned Sector HEALTH Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases. Major Concerned Sector HEALTH Goal 7: Ensure Environment Sustainability Major Concerned Sector INFRASTRUCTURE Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development Major Concerned Sector ECONOMICS & INFRASTRUCTURE Table 3: M.D. Goals and the Construction Industry S/N GOALS MAJOR CONCERNED SECTOR CONSTRUCTION WORK CONTENT CIVIL BUILDING ENGINEERING 1 1 Agriculture & Food Buildings, market facilities food storage facilities 2 2&3 Education Building Lecture theartre, offices, etc. 3 4,5&6 Health Buildings: hospitals, medical centres, 4 7 Environmental Sustainability 5 8 (macro economic planning) economics & Infrastructure NOTE: Agriculture & Food 1/8, Infrastructure 1 ½ /8, Education - 2/8, Economics - ½ /8, Health - 3/8 Source: E.O. Ayodele 2010) 14 Irrigation & dams, rural access road Internal roads Internal roads dispensaries etc. Infrastructure - water supply - power Energy - buildings Roads & bridges Buildings to house ICT & pharmaceutical companies Internal roads HEAVY ENGINEERING Water treatment plant reservoirs etc Hydro-electric power stations, oil & gas, transmission lines

5 Table 4: 7 POINT AGENDA AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY S/N GOALS/POINTS CONSTRUCTION WORK CONTENT Civil Engineering Building Internal roads 1 Power & Energy Buildings 2 Food Security Buildings, market facilities, domestic water distribution 3 Wealth Creation 4 Transportation Buildings Irrigation, dams, rural access roads Roads, bridges rails, airport, seaports, channels etc. 5 Land Reforms Buildings, plumbing, Large excavations, etc. 6 Security Buildings Internal roads 7 Education School and office buildings (Source: Ayodele E.O. 2010) Internal roads Heavy Engineering Oil and gas pipelines, refineries, process plants, transmission lines THE QUANTITY SURVEYOR AND HIS ROLES Introduction The primary area of Quantity Surveyors in any economy is in construction. The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (2003) and Ayodele (2005) have defined the Quantity Surveyor as an expert who deals with the financial probity from the conceptualization, planning, execution to maintenance of building, civil engineering and heavy engineering development projects. The above is a micro economic definition of a Quantity Surveyor. Ayodele (2005) identified two broad centers from the micro economic definition: i) Cost Centre this covers: Conception i.e. when the client is still thinking of his proposed project. Planning i.e. activities from inception but before commencements of project execution (e.g.) design, cost planning, tendering, billing, etc.). Execution i.e. when the execution of the project commences until its composition. Maintenance i.e. from competitive until the end of the life time project. Work Centre this covers: Building works including mechanical and electrical engineering installations. Civil engineering works. Heavy engineering works. When respect to the macro economic definition, a Quantity Surveyor is the economist and accountant of the construction industry. Offoreh (2006 identified the Quantity Surveyor as the economic planner for the construction industry as it relates to the national economy. At the budget development stage the Quantity Surveyor is invited to allocate funds to the various sections of the construction industry in each of that unit of the economy. Micro Economic Functions of the Consulting Quantity Surveyor Table 5 shows the micro-economic functions of the Consulting Quantity Surveyor at pre contract, post contract and general levels. 15

6 If the micro economic functions of the Quantity Surveyor, as shown in Table 5, are performed in each of the areas of construction work on each of the units of the economy as shown in Tables 3 and 4 then: Economic design of such project will result. The construction work is achieved within budget Client enjoys value for money. With these concomitant advantages, more volumes of construction take place which invariably improves the GDP of the economy concerned, while the per capital income also increases. Micro Economic Functions of the Contracting Quantity Surveyor The following, according to NIQS (2003), is an inexhaustible list of the functions of the contracting Quantity Surveyor on building, civil and heavy engineering works: i. Preparation of labour, plant and material schedules. ii. Pricing and tendering responsibilities. iii. Analysis of contract pricing relative to cost recording methods, establishment and preparation for cost/value reconciliation statements and comparison of related data at regular intervals. iv. Interpretation of cost/value reconciliation statement for management purposes. v. Preparation of valuation for interim certificates and reporting matters in connection. vi. Monitoring of tender methods with those actually required at reporting, there on preparation of cost/benefit reports upon alterative construction methods. vii. Initiating and drafting of contractual correspondence preparation, evaluation and registration of claims. viii. Control and management of sub-contract interim and final accounts, contract charges and contractual matters. ix. Contractual advice on placing of materials purchase orders. x. Preparation and inter predation of turnover, profit/loss forecasts and cash flow projection. xi. Preparation of insurance claims. xii. Preparation and agreement of final accounts. Macro Economic Functions of the Quantity Surveyor Figure 1 shows the macro economic functions of the Quantity Surveyor. The Quantity Surveyor is involved in the macro economic planning at the budget development stage where he allocates funds to the various building works, civil engineering works and heavy engineering works connected with the various units of the economy. Such allocated funds are meant for the erection (construction), maintenance and refurbishment activities in the works as shown in Figure 2. Advantages Macro economic functions of the Quantity Surveyor have the following advantages: It allows funds to be equitably distributed to cater for the construction activities connected with each of the units of the economy. It helps with future budgetary planning for the economy. It allows the use of the Quantity Surveyor s special knowledge as a construction economist to plan for the construction economy. It helps the construction economy to grow steadily which in turns raises the GDP and increases the per capital income (PCI). 16

7 Summary The following constitutes the summary of facts from this article. The construction industry has three main sections, namely: building works, civil engineering works and heavy engineering works. The Quantity Surveyor is the cost, procurement and contract manager of each of the three sections of the construction industry. (Table 1) The various sections of the construction industry are part and parcel of the various units of the economy. The Quantity Surveyor s micro and macro economic functions are very relevant in each of the units of the economy, MDG and the 7 point and indispensable Table 5: Micro Economic Functions of Consulting Quantity Surveyor Pre Contract Post Contract General Preliminary cost Value construction works Technical auditing advice Valuing for fluctuation Assessing replacement Investment Preparation and agreeing values for insurance appraisal accounts with contactors Condition surveys Feasibility studies Preparing expenditure Property management Cost planning statements for tax and Asset management Project cost accounting Property condition estimates Giving expect advice in appraisal Preparing of Tender arbitration and disputes Facilities Management documents Project management Environment impact Adising of Risk management analysis contractor selection Risk management method Financial analysis Advising on Assessing replacement value procurement for insurance method Obtaining or negotiating tenders 17

8 Agriculture & Food B C H Education B M D G Budget C Health B C Infrastructure B C H Economics - Fig. 1: Allocation of fund to the various sectors of the economy with respect to construction. NOTE: B = Building, M & E works, C = Civil Engineering works, H = Heavy Engineering works, (Source: Adapted from E.O. Ayodele (2008) 18

9 Construction Building, M & E Works Maintenance Refurbishment Construction Industry Civil Engineering Works Construction Maintenance Refurbishment Construction Heavy Engineering Works Maintenance Refurbishment (Source: Adapted from E.O. Ayodele (2008) Figure 2 : Activities to be carried out in each Section of the Construction Industry REFERENCES Ayeba Enenimiette A.K. (2008) Sustainable Environmental Development Roles The Quantity Surveyor. Seminar presented at 23 rd Biennial Conference of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. Ayodele E.O. (2005) Construction Economics Volume 1. Double Birth Production, Owo Ayodele (2008) The roles of Quantity Surveyors in the economy of nations, with special focus on Nigeria. Construction Economist Journal of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. Fall Feese, B.T. (2008) Costing the Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria: issue, Challenges and lessons learnt for Quantity Surveying. Seminar at 23 rd Bi-ennial Conference Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors Kaduna. 19

10 Ibrahim A.I. (2008) Role of Quantity Surveyors in achieving Millennium Development Goals. presented at 23 rd Biennial Conference of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Kaduna. Seminar NEEDS (2004) A Comprehensive Poverty Reduction, Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy. NIQS (2003) the Quantity Surveyor and Civil Engineering Projects NIQS Public Enlightenment Series 4. NIQS Lagos. Obadan M.I. & Uga E.O. (1996) National Planning and Construction in Nigeria. Seminar At 17 th Biennial Conference of Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors Lagos. Offoreh E.C. (2006) The Nigerian Quantity Surveyor as an agent of economic Development Seminar at 22 nd Biennial Conference of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. Calabar Rainer N. (2001) Building Sustainable Cities. Habitat Debate Vol. 5 No 2. http.//www. Uncns.org/uncs/engnsn/ndv5n2/micro.num. APPENDIX 1:Global MDGs (Feese, 2008) Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty. Target 1. halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion or people whose income is less than $1 a day. 1. Proportion of population below $1 (1993 PPP) per day (World Bank) 2. Poverty gap ratio [incidence X dept of poverty](world Bank) Target 2. Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger 4. Prevalence of underweight children under five years of age (UNICEF-WHO) 5. Proportion of population below minimum level of dietary energy consumption (FAO) Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education Target 3. Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling 6. Net enrolment ratio in primary education (UNESCO) 7. Proportion of pupils starting grade 1 who reach grade 5 (UNESCO) b* 8. Literacy rate of years old (UNESCO) Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women Target 4. Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education (UNESCO) 10. Ratio of literate women to men, years old (UNESCO) 11. Share of women in wage employment in non-agricultural sector (ILO) 12. Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament (IPU) Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality Target 5. Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate 13. Under-five mortality rate (UNICEF-WHO) 14. Infant mortality rate (UNICEF-WHO) 15. Proportion of 1 year old children immunized against measles (UNESCO-WHO) Goal 5: Improve Material Health Target 6. Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the material mortality ratio 16. Material mortality ratio (UNICEF-WHO) 17. Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel (UNICEF-WHO) 20

11 Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases Target 7. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS 18. HIV prevalence among pregnant women aged years (UNAIDS-WHO-UNICEF) 19. Condom use rate of the contraceptive prevalence rate (UN Population Division) c* 19a. Condom use at last high-risk sex (UNICEF-WHO) 19b. Percentage of population aged years with comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS (UNICEF-WHO) d* 19c. Contraceptive prevalence rate (UN population Division) 20. Ratio of school attendance of orphans to school attendance of non-orphans aged years (UNICEF-UNAIDS-WHO) Target 8. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases 21. Prevalence and death rates associated with malaria (WHO) 22. Proportion of population in malaria-risk areas using effective malaria prevention and treatment measures (UNICEF-WHO) e* 23. Prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis (WHO) 24. Proportion of tuberculosis cases detected and cured under DOTS (internationally recommended TB control strategy) (WHO) Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability Target 9. Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources 25. Proportion of land area covered by forest (FAO) 26. Ratio of area protected to maintain biological diversity to surface area (UNEP-WCMC) 27. Energy use (kg oil equivalent) per $1 GDP (PP) (IEA, world Bank) 28. Carbon dioxide emissions per capital (UNFCCC, UNSD) and consumption of ozone-depleting CFCs (ODP tons) (UNEP-Ozone Secretariat) 29. Proportion of population using solid fuels (WHO) Target 10. Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation 30. Proportion of population with sustainable access to an improve water source, urban and rural (UNICEF-WHO) 31. Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation, urban and rural (UNICEF-WHO) Target 11. Have achieve by 2020 a significant improvement in lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers ion 32. Proportion of household with access to secure tenure (UNIHABITAT) Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development Target 12. Develop further an open, rule-base, predictable, nondiscriminatory trading and financial system (includes a commitment to good governance, development, and poverty reduction: both nationally and internationally) Target 13. Address the special needs of the least developed Countries (includes tariff- and quota-free access for least developed Countries? exports, enhanced program of debt relief for heavily indebted poor Countries [HIPCs] and cancellation of official. Target 14. Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and small island developing states (through the program of action for the sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and 22 nd General Assembly Provisions) Target 15. Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries through national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term 21

12 Official Development Assistance (ODA) 33. Net ODA, total and to LDCs, as percentage of OECD/Development Assistance Committee (DAC) donors gross national income (GNI)(OECD) 34. Proportion of total bilateral, sector-allocable ODA of OECD/DAC donors to basic social services (basic education, primary health care, nutrition, safe water and sanitation) (OECD) 35. Proportion of bilateral ODA of OECD/DAC donors that is untied (OECD) 36. ODA received in land locked developing countries as a proportion of their GNIs (OECD) 37. ODA received in small island developing states as proportion of their GNIs (OECD) Market access 38. Proportion of total developed country import s (by value and excluding arms) from developing countries and from LDCs, admitted free of duty (UNCTAD,WTO, WB) 39. Average tariffs imposed by developed countries on agricultural products and textiles and clothing from developing countries (UNCTAD, WTO, WB) 40. Agricultural supports estimate for OECD countries as percentage of their GPD (OEC) 41. Proportion of ODA provided to help build trade capacity (OECD,WTO) Debt sustainability 42. Total number of countries that have reached their Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) decision points and number that have reached their HIPC completion points (cumulative) (IMF- World Bank) 43. Debt relief committed under HIPC initiative (IMF-World Bank) 44. Debt service as a percentage of exports of goods and services (IMF-World Bank) Target 16. In cooperation with developing countries, develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for Youth 45. Unemployment rate of young people aged years, each sex and total (ILO) f* Target 17. In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries 46. Proportion of population with access to affordable essential drugs on a sustainable drugs on a sustainable basis (WHO) Target 18. In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications technologies 47. Telephone lines and cellular subscribers per 100 population (ITU) 48. Personal computers in use per 100 population and Internet user per 100 population (ITU) Received for Publication: 08/09 /2012 Accepted for Publication: 04/11 /