Ministry of works & Transport

The Ministry of Works & Transport performs the following services to the infrastructural development of Trinidad & Tobago under its following divisions:

The establishment of the Ministry’s Coastal Protection Unit (CPU) is all about the preservation and rehabilitation of our coastlines. The Coastal Protection Unit addresses the most crucial aspects of:

• Preventing coastal erosion;
• Designing and Construct Hydraulic and
• Coastal Structures;
• Developing and implementing policies, plans, standards, regulations, rules and requirements for the prevention of coastal erosion; and
• Maintaining sea defenses.

From its inception, the EU had actively pursued the integration of health, safety and environmental (HSE) considerations in the Ministry’s operations. Responsibilities of the EHSU include:

• Reviewing projects to ensure no degradation to the environment in accordance with EMA (Environmental Management Authority) regulations;
• Facilitating CEC (Certificate of Environmental Clearance) process;
• Facilitating EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) when necessary;
• Ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to guarantee the safety and health of the public, in the vicinity of Ministry of Works & Transport offices and work sites;
• Collaborating with other Divisions with respect to Disaster Preparedness and Management.

The Mechanical Services is invaluable as it fulfills its core responsibilities of the acquisition and maintenance of vehicles, mechanical plants and equipment. The Mechanical Services Division also supports regional corporations through:

• Provision of advisory services to Government agencies on the purchase, utilization, maintenance and disposal of vehicles, mechanical plants and equipment;
• Management of the acquisition, allocation and disposal of vehicles, mechanical plants and equipment for all the core technical Divisions of the Ministry of Works and Transport.

The Maritime Services Division was established to administer the provisions of the Shipping Act and other Maritime National legislation. The more vital functions of the Division are:

Flag State activities relating to:

• Registration and licensing of Trinidad and Tobago ships;
• Survey, inspections and certification of national seafarers;
• Conditions of seamen employed on board Trinidad and Tobago Ships.

Port State Control Activities:

• The inspection of foreign registered vessels calling at/visiting ports in Trinidad and Tobago to ensure compliance with national and international safety, and pollution prevention standards;
• The establishment of maintenance of Navigational Aids) lights, buoys, beacons and lighthouses) to aid navigation;
• The investigation of shipping accidents/casualties; and
• Advise the Government on maritime matters.

The Priority Bus Route Unit was established to regulate and maintain the use of the Priority Bus Route (PBR). To preserve the PBR as a Priority Route and to minimize the use of the route for commuting in non-transit vehicles, particularly during the peak periods, only authorized vehicles are given access. Services of the PBR Unit include:

• To manage the distribution of PBR permits and related tasks;
• To issue PBR Private-Light Motor Vehicle Permits;
• To issue PBR Maxi Taxi permits to successful applicants /vehicles;
• Renewal of PBR Maxi Taxi and Private light motor vehicle permits every term.

The Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency Unit (PURE) is a Project Management Unit of the Highways Division in the Ministry of Works and Transport. The PURE Programme exists as an efficient and effective platform for achieving the strategic intent of the Government in respect of road infrastructure. In alignment with the policy also, the services undertaken in the Programme was re-categorized into:

• Road Rehabilitation;
• Slope Stabilization;
• Alternative Access Routes;
• Traffic Management Measures;
• Bridge Reconstruction; and
• Pedestrian Overpass Construction

The TMB is responsible for the management and control of traffic on Trinidad’s road network. This responsibility includes:

• Management and administration of traffic signals;
• Management of the National Traffic Management System;
• Accident analysis and recommendation of remedial measures;
• Monitoring of existing traffic situations;
• Collection of traffic data and installation of new and routine maintenance of road markings and traffic signs;
• Training sessions to various organizations on traffic management and road safety issues.

Traffic Wardens are stipulated in Section 10A of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act. Traffic Wardens possess full authority for the regulation, control and enforcement of traffic to:

1. Stop a vehicle
2. Request drivers’ permits and
3. Order the removal of illegally parked vehicles

Other services of the Traffic Warden Division include:

• To issue fixed penalties notices (traffic tickets)
• To remove illegally parked vehicles by towing
• To ensure compliance and enforcement of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act
• To attend court and provide evidence related to traffic breaches and offences
• Any other related duties as directed by his/her superiors
• To provide road safety of road traffic at schools
• To regulate traffic in designated regions and secondary roads but not highways.

In accordance with the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act Chapter 48:50, the Transport Commissioner is the Licensing Authority and is responsible for the:

• Registration of Motor Vehicles
• Inspection of Motor Vehicles
• Issuance of Driver’s Permits
• Directing the supervision of traffic census
• Executing Government Policy in the area of maxi taxi operations
• Supervising private testing station
• Collection of the associated revenues
• Regulating the private school bus system

The Central Planning Unit was established in 1979 to satisfy the planning and research functions of the then Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications. The key responsibilities of the Central Planning Unit are:

• Assistance with/ coordination of the annual capital budgets, projects and strategic plans of the various Divisions/ Units/ Authorities
• Preparation of progress reports, visits to project sites and attendance at project meetings
• Assistance with policy formulation and research, preparation of notes for cabinet, comments on papers, socio-economic research into sectorial areas and development of a statistical database
• Provision of advice to the Minister/ Permanent Secretary/ Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Divisions and Units of the Ministry and Inter-Ministerial Committees on Economic and Policy matters.