Massive infrastructure investment: A masterstroke for BDP
Chakalisa Dube | Monday February 13, 2023 06:00
Despite the projected budget deficit of P7 billion, the government will go ahead and inject P13 billion on key infrastructure development.
Some of President Mokgweetsi Masisi and the ruling Botswana Democratic Party critics have labelled the decision to invest huge sums of money on infrastructure necessary but bizarre, because government is currently struggling to balance her books.
They also argue that economy is still recovering from the repercussions of COVID-19. Government has often shelved some of the key infrastructure projects arguing that the country is operating on a deficit or that there are no funds.
It is anticipated that the projects will create short term jobs in the process. But the government has shrugged off criticism around the timing of the projects. The argument from government technocrats is that massive spending on infrastructure is a proven way of stimulating economic activity and creating jobs, something that can help the country to fully recover from COVID-19.
Most notably, the infrastructure budget for the next financial year will cater for major roads projects such as the Mmankgodi- Jwaneng road and most notable the Mmandunyane- Shashemooke- Borolong- Chadibe- Mathangwane road amongst others. The construction of the A3 road which is a gateway to tourism areas in the North West is also amongst the key projects for the next financial year.
But government’s sudden shift of attitude and keenness to embark on massive infrastructure projects might not be entirely economic. Based on the timing and dynamics, the move might be political.
This is not surprising to some pundits or observers. Masisi and his government are facing immense pressure from ordinary citizens. He might be sensing a threat that voters might not vote for the ruling party in large numbers in 2024.
This is because the BDP has to some extent assumed to have failed to deliver some of the promises made ahead of the 2019 General Election. Since the polls, Masisi has been accused of lacking the qualities of a strategic leader.
Some of his policies have been labelled less progressive. The perceived failure by the ruling party government to execute some projects and creating more jobs post the 2019 General Election has resulted in some Batswana losing confidence and trust in the BDP. This growing despondence has led to fears that voters might punish the party at the 2024 polls.
Given the above, it is not a far-fetched idea to assume that the massive infrastructure roll out is a grand plan by Masisi to regain lost ground. Best put, the massive infrastructure by government just less than two-years into the election year is an attempt to create an impression that the BDP cares about Batswana. He knows that if the planned project turns out to be a success or the process or their execution takes off smoothly it will be a perfect political master stroke to him and the BDP.
The party will have enough campaign material leading to the elections. On the contrary, the BDP government has a tradition of poorly executing some of the projects. For instance, some projects have often been overshadowed by corruption linked to party elites or cronies. Should the trend continue, this might dishearten voters or lead to loss of confidence in the party and by extension government.
This would then mean a disastrous campaign for the BDP. Political analyst, Zibani Maundeni is not surprised by the sudden investment on infrastructure by the government. His observation is that the BDP wants to use the upcoming financial year (which will be a transitional plan to NDP11) to prepare for elections. “There is no doubt that some of these projects will create opportunities for Batswana.
Many Batswana have been pushing for some of these major projects to be executed as a matter of urgency. Their implementation will soften the heart of some the voters something that will work in favour of the BDP at the polls,” said Maundeni.
He added that during the buildup to the 2024 General Election the BDP will be congratulating or portraying itself as a delivering party, to boost its appeal to voters.
“The idea behind the planned projects is to shed the tag being a party (BDP) that always make promises (but does not deliver).” Reacting to the government’s sudden keenness to execute some key projects that had been shelved for years, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa said investment infrastructure is welcome as long as it is supported by a genuine need.
“However, we are aware that our financial resources are not sufficient to meet the required infrastructure needs. We therefore need to have an infrastructure investment framework that will be used to screen and plan the proposed projects accordingly,” he said.
He also explained that the framework will ensure that the projects with the most impact on the economy are prioritised to ensure the best use of the limited resources and avoid white elephants associated with projects not based on a genuine need. “Some of the projects in the past have had resources that could have been used for other deserving projects in different areas taking more than what had been budgeted for.
This will obviously have an impact on equitable distribution of not only resources but services as well,” he said. Mohwasa emphasised that the government should ensure that the procurement process for the planned projects is competitive, fair, and transparent. The BDP government has in the past been accused of meddling in tendering process and ensuring that most of the big projects go its funders.