24 Mar 2025

The task team responsible for a comprehensive review of the Development Manager (DM) model has submitted its findings to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae. 

Minister Salakae yesterday during the submission of the report, commended the task team for the timely delivery of the report despite various challenges. “I would like to appreciation to the task team for their dedication and professionalism in delivering this report, which will clarify the DM model as an infrastructure delivery concept moving forward,” Minister Salakae said.

He highlighted that the task force was appointed in response to President Advocate Duma Boko’s State of the Nation Address on November 19, 2024, where he emphasised the importance of reviewing the DM model to assess its effectiveness in managing project construction costs.  Minister Salakae expressed confidence in the task team’s work, stating that ministry officials would spend the next four days reflecting on and engaging with the document to understand the findings better and determine how to implement them for improved project execution in the country.   He noted that he would consult on whether to make the commission’s findings public or present them to the National Assembly.

The Chairperson of the DM task team, Mr Kabo Motswagole, said that the review was originally expected to last 40 days following its commissioning on January 13 but extended by eight days due to unforeseen circumstances. 

However, he clarified that the document remainsed a draft pending feedback from ministry professionals.  Mr Motswagole expressed gratitude to the government and other stakeholders for the trust placed in the task team to carry out the important task.  The DM Commission’s Terms of Reference encompass various elements, including the establishment of the DM model, its legal structure and rationale, the mandate of the DMs, and their compliance with relevant laws.  Given the significant issues raised by the DM model, the government decided to review it, along with the projects under the model, following extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.  

At least 70 projects were suspended out of the 148 projects due to possible far-reaching legal and financial implications associated with demobilisation, such projects were nonetheless spared from the review process. ENDS