Botswana’s government has taken the decisive step of suspending 70 ongoing projects under the controversial Development Manager (DM) model, a move that signals a critical re-evaluation of its infrastructure delivery framework. This decision, announced by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Noah Salakae during a parliamentary session in Gaborone, comes amidst allegations of mismanagement and inflated construction costs tied to the model.
The DM model, introduced in 2023 by the previous administration, was heralded as a mechanism to streamline infrastructure projects and curtail cost overruns. It centralised the management of public works projects—ranging from roads to hospitals—under professional development managers tasked with overseeing all stages, from inception to completion. However, its implementation has come under scrutiny, with President Duma Boko lamenting that billions of pula have been squandered due to poor oversight and corruption.
Minister Salakae clarified that while 70 projects will be suspended to assess their financial prudence and compliance with construction cost benchmarks, 78 others will proceed to avoid potential legal and financial repercussions that could arise from abrupt halts. The government, he noted, is committed to ensuring that future infrastructure initiatives reflect fiscal responsibility and equitable distribution of resources.
The review process, set to span 40 days, will involve a specially appointed task team charged with examining the model’s efficacy and delivering a comprehensive report to the ministry. The suspension marks a pivotal moment in Botswana’s infrastructure policy, reflecting the administration’s intent to prioritise accountability and mitigate financial wastage.
The DM model’s apparent shortcomings represent a broader challenge for governments globally—balancing ambitious development goals with stringent oversight mechanisms. For Botswana, the stakes are high; infrastructure remains a linchpin of its socio-economic development, and ensuring the model’s integrity is vital for public trust and economic sustainability.
This recalibration of the DM approach could pave the way for a more robust and transparent framework, one that aligns with Botswana’s ambitions of fostering inclusive growth while addressing systemic inefficiencies.
