20 Aug 2024

 For sometime, the country’s infrastructure experienced implementation challenges, hence the introduction of Development Manager (DM) model to assist in facilitation of projects.

This was revealed by Catalyst Project Team (CPT), chief economist, Mr Gabolekwe Tlogelang during the District Catalyst Project Team (DCPT) orientation held in Francistown on August 16.

Mr Tlogelang said there was lack of competence in project launching and implementation, as people in charge of projects planning, scheduling and estimating were not necessarily skilled in the area.

He also added that limited capacity building in project management was one of the challenges experienced in project implementation. This, he said, led to loss of public funds as funds were not used on time, within budget and scope, leading to slow economic growth and ended up exacerbating corruption.

Mr Tlogelang said poor project delivery led to many people losing job opportunities, hence reducing the quality of life of citizens. 

Furthermore, he stated that to bring change and improvement, government formulated new contracting strategies in the execution of infrastructure projects through the implementation of the DM model.

Also, he added that the DM model existed with the mandate of managing infrastructure development projects from inception to close out through the help of development managers. 

He said the DM was managed by the Catalyst Project Team (CPT) who jointly planned, designed, cost, procured, managed and supervised contractors to perform construction related risks. The DM would identify and appoint consultants and contractors to undertake the actual work and take responsibility for the performance of projects.

CPT risk management specialist, Mr Ishmael Gaeemelwe added that government needed to have qualified, skilled and dedicated personnel to manage and assist in the delivery of projects.

He said the amount of contingency reserve must also be correlated to the risk management plan and must be directly proportional to the calculated costs associated with items found on the risk register.

He advised that risks should be transferred from government to contractor to manage them. ENDS