24 May 2023

Project implementers and coordinators have been implored to fast-track implementation of projects in order to improve living standard of communities. 

Assistant minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele made the call during a development and technical workshop which attracted project implementers and coordinators from Maun, Okavango, Sowa, Ghanzi, Tutume, Boteti, Charleshill and Chobe district councils.

The assistant minister said  government efforts to respond to the growing needs of the people in the delivery of service and projects had been fraught with implementation challenges.

The challenges, he said, had nothing to do with funding or availability of resources but rather ineptitude on the side of the implementers leading to delays and substandard execution of projects despite considerable amount of investment in infrastructure development.

Mr Modukanele said communities were also losing patience on why councils were unable to successfully implement critical projects despite a considerable amount of investment into such projects. 

He called on project implementers and coordinators to introspect and identify obstacles that hindered the achievement of implementation results.

“As highly trained professionals, architects, planners, developers, artisans, technicians and engineers, you are expected to play an important role in the socio-economic development of our nation, especially Botswana’s inspirations to attain high income status by 2036,” he added.

The partipants were urged to justify their existence as public servants by ensuring that every Motswana had access to services as to ensure that projects were completed within budget and timeously to truly transform livelihoods in their respective districts.

Mr Modukanele also noted that the ministry’s new strategic direction anchored on the six pillars including providing effective and efficient local services and infrastructure as well as building resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies.

The strategy, he said, challenged all to go beyond their limitations to fast-track and facilitate village economies, community development and rural industries.

“To this end, you ought to identify and address existing and emerging challenges that hinder decision-making processes as the first step towards progress and equally embrace and adopt new priorities and methods in our projects to ensure seamless implementation of every project,” said Mr Modukanele. 

Local authorities were also urged to strengthen local governance through the fight against corruption as well as to build resilient communities through facilitating ease of doing business, rural development and procurement of locally produced goods and services.

They were also advised to promote communication, education and public awareness through a robust stakeholder engagement plan and also to improve on waste management and disposal.

In his welcome remarks, North West District Council chairman, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho said the assistant minister’s engagement with project implementation teams was a welcome development.

Communities, he said, depended on projects to gain employment and to ultimately solve their developmental need like schools or clinics.

Mr Ntsogotlho said if the teams could fail to deliver projects timeously and to standard, they would be failing the government. He expressed hope that the gathering would come up with impactful strategies.

Acting council secretary, Mr Masaoko Katorah acknowledged the ministry’s initiative saying it was a development they should embrace in serving their clientele better.

He believed that local authorities would make changes in the manner they executed projects including report writing. 

Lastly, he thanked the ministry’s project implementation team for the unwavering support to councils citing the workshop as a testimony of their commitment. Ends