Are there two Public Works Departments?
The new special infrastructural unit, which is housed in the old Department of Motor Vehicles/Traffic Department Offices in Road Town, is reported to be headed by former Acting Director of Public Works, Dr. Drexel Glasgow.
Shortly after the 2011 elections, Dr. Glasgow was removed from the PWD- a story first and accurately reported by this news site- and given a new title announced by Communications and Works Minister Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool as the ‘technical person’ for planning, infrastructure and development in the areas of roads, water, sewerage and seaports.
4 officers in new Unit; more to come
It is reported that some 4 officers from the PWD, including a Quality Surveyor, Project Manager, and Planning Officers are now seated at the new unit ‘down town’. It is also reported that two engineers, one from the PWD and one from the Water and Sewerage Department, are expected to join the unit, however, due to spacing and computer issues they have not reported to the new location.
With the removal of the officers from their assigned departments, it remains unclear who they report to and who will be responsible for their performance evaluations and appraisal at the end of each year. The officers received letters advising them that they will be called upon to assist both PWD and the Ministry of Communications and Works.
Hon. Vanterpool- “They can sit anywhere, even in space, once they do the work!”
At a news conference held on July 23, 2013 at Maria’s by the Sea and responding to questions pertaining to a number of staff within the Public Works Department being moved to a new project unit outside the department, the Minister for Communications and Works confirmed that they have established a special projects team under the Ministry. This special projects team has been placed under the watchful eyes of Dr. Drexel Glasgow.
“We consider what we call the Public Works Department is going to do more maintenance of roads and the buildings of government and other projects. We have established as a part of the whole ministry what we call a special projects team for infrastructural development under Dr. Glasgow,” said the Hon. Minister.
He explained that under the current structure persons would be moving among various locations to work based on the given assignment for a day or any given period. “They can work in space I don’t care, once they do the work. So it doesn’t matter where they be, some might be down at the Ministry, once they carry out the works. Those things don’t bother me.”
He said the special projects team is working on some major projects including CDB and some major roads. “The important thing to understand is that you are working for the ministry whether it’s the Public Works or not. I have asked them to be flexible,” said the Hon. Minister.
A source within the National Democratic Party (NDP) claimed there is more in the mortar than the pestle, as maybe “the public needs to understand the relationship between Jeffrey and his Minister,” and “you could not confirm Drexel as the Director of PWD, but you are now using him to do much of the same things,” the source alleged.
The source also asked this news site to “talk to the persons in this new Special Projects Unit about morale, working conditions and the real reason behind their move.”
As of post time we were unable to speak to any of the officers in the new Special Projects Unit or the Acting Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Gary Penn.
It is also unknown how the move of so many staff from one department has affected the day to day operations of the PWD.
35 Responses to “Are there two Public Works Departments?”
maybe M cant get jeffery to do he dutty wuk so he branch off a set of guyz to carry out his orders
PWD is very corrupt which is why they made this move. Act like ya'll don't know, this is why they're complaining. Works are under Communication and Works. Who cares where they have their office as long as they do the damn work and do it properly. They are still working with MC&W on infrastructure so I don't see the issue. PWD short-staffed? WTF???? These people sick. I see a set of them milling around doing f@$k-all for the entire day.
The point is, that the NOTHING they doing down there is the same nothing they could have been doing at PWD. DRE... just want things his way and suckin up to Mark is the only way to get it.
@solusion. Totally agree!!!!!!! BUT LEAVE DREXEL down there. Don't bring him back. and don't appoint J... nidda, let him continue chauffering his family through town all day every day, he is another educated waste of government money.
In my view, the large, marked crevice needs urgent attention while the alley pot-holed do NOT>
I wonder what coordination exists between the crews erecting the warning/traffic cones and those who make the repairs to the road.
My suggestion is a person/persons whose function is to traverse the roads of the territory while taking note of the defects an prioritizing them for maintenance. this would include gabions, road markings, signage etc, even reporting on dangers such as the many electric poles which lean precariously over us as we traverse the roads of tortola- things which fall under the purvue of other departments but affect public safety. Just a few thoughts and suggestions
Yes, PWD can have a remote division, special unit, a tiger team team if you will but for effectiveness, efficiency and economy it must remain under the purview of the PWO. The MCW can establish a separate Engineering Department that will provide engineering services to other departments. The services provided can be funded by allocations or paid when services are demanded. Further, it is typical to separate planners and maintainers yet the overall control is workable under the PWD. The current approach is like a scatter shot approach.