Design Genro

IF AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION IS SO DAMNING, WHAT ELSE IS THERE?
Just for context, the Report of the Task Team on the Review of the Development Manager Model (DMM) was sanctioned by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI). So, it is pretty much an internal review on the ministry by the ministry. After its completion, it took the MTI a good three and a half months to release it.
That as it may be, it amongst others finds that:
• “Initially presented as a solution to address longstanding challenges in the construction sector such as project delays, cost overruns and inefficiencies in public works implementation, the DMM has BEEN FOUND TO EXACERBATE these very problems.
• Project costs skyrocketed from an initial BWP13 000 000 000.00 to well over BWP56 000 000 000.00, a mind-blowing 430% increase. This it has to be said, is PUBLIC FUNDS, given to just nine companies to spend as they so wish.
• Foreign-owned firms dominated, sidelining locals particularly on the consultancy stage: Project Managers, Architects, Engineers and Quantity Surveyors.
• Widespread legal breaches and procurement violations
• Many projects idle despite massive payouts
• All guard rails regarding spending of public funds were removed and replaced by an “oversight team – Catalyst Project Team” which operated with no legal mandate.

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Asked on the Development Manager Model and its efficacy as a public procurement strategy for Botswana; Minister should state:
i. The top ten (10) projects (in terms of value) that are using the DMM model and in each case state the project name, project managers, sontractors, amounts paid to project managers and amounts paid to contractors.

ii. The process of appointing DMs and contractors and state whether such process followed proper and established due delligence protocols.

iii. If he will be amenable to a suggestion to review all projects awarded through DMM.

"DEVELOPMENT MANAGER MODEL (DMM)
The application of this model may have resulted in inflated projects construction costs. This model will be reviewed to ensure fiscal sustainability."
Advocate Duma Gideon Boko
President of The Republic of Botswana