19 Feb 2026

Districts have been advised to align their draft development plans with the National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12) to ensure timely completion and effective implementation of national priorities.

North West District Commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka made the remarks during the District Development Committee (DDC) meeting aimed at engaging members on the alignment of the District Development Plan (DDP 9) with the recently approved National Development Plan (NDP 12). 

He emphasised the importance of coherence and consistency in planning, saying public servants were agents of change and must adopt a results-oriented approach.

“The government has entrusted us with the responsibility to make a difference when challenges arise instead of merely reporting challenges,” he said.

DDC members were urged to contribute to the planning process and make sound inputs to ensure the success of the exercise.

Further, he said the draft plans should include new ministries’ names, key performance indicators and project proposals with the core priorities of NDP 12, with particular emphasis placed on integrating the True North Pillars, the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan, and the strategic outcomes and key performance indicators as outlined in the NDP 12.

While the NDP 12, guided by Vision 2036, aims to transform from mere planning to measurable progress with emphasis on evidence-based, result-oriented implementation, Mr Waloka said public servants were seen as agents of change for government priorities, hence they must adopt a culture of planning and result-oriented action.

For instance, he said North-West district, with its unique challenges and opportunities, was singled out for special attention, with plans to upgrade Maun into a ‘green city’.

The model, he said, sought to position Maun as a sustainable urban-area that utilised natural processes and vegetation to provide diverse ecosystem services, contributing to the overall sustainability and resilience of communities.

“In an area that houses the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site, buzzing with tourism, mining and farming activities, we will have to identify what is necessary to improve the quality of life for our people and how best we can improve sectors such as mining, agriculture, and tourism to thrive and benefit communities,” Mr Waloka said. ENDS