Pictured above are some of the new vehicles which were recently purchased by the Plant and Transport Branch (PTB) of the Department of Works following it's revival in 2008. Painted in the traditional yellow color, the first lot of vehicles acquisitions totalling 31 units will be shipped out to the provinces and hired out at affordable, cheaper-than-private rates.
PLANT & TRANSPORT DIVISION

The Divisions primary role is to purchase, manage and maintain a centralized fleet of plant and vehicles for the Provincial and National Government as well as the State funded Statutory Authorities. It comprises of two headquarter based branches as Corporate Affairs and Operations. The other specific responsibilities include;

  • Pursue/coordinate the implementation of Japanese Government grant for new equipment, depot improvement and supply of new workshop tools.
  • Implement the PTB revitalisation program for the re-building of Class A units.
  • Set up a new PTB trust account in accordance with NEC Decision 219/2003.
  • Rebuild existing Class B units.
  • Provide routine hire and maintenance services to line departments.

Operations Branch

The Operations Section of the Plant and Transport Branch is responsible for the hire ad purchase of plants and equipments for the department. They are also responsible for maintaining the department?s assets as well as disposing them. The workshops in the provinces and the training of engineers also fall in the Operations Section.

Corporate Affairs Branch

Corporate Affairs of PTB deals with the administration of PTB offices throughout the country. Matters regarding the management and financial aspects of PTB are conducted through this office

THE YELLOW SYMBOL IS BACK!!

In a brief key hand-over ceremony, the Assistant Secretary for PTB, Mr. Andrew Buna said that the arrival of the yellow-color vehicles marks the rebirth of PTB as an instrument that provides logistical support to the Department's Road Construction and Maintenance projects and to various Government Agencies in their respective tasks of delevering goods and services to the people in both the urban and rural areas. Mr. Buna was re-emphasissing what the Minister for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Mr. Don Polye has worked very hard to achieve which is the revitalization of the department's fleet. Mr. Polye has also had solid support from the Secretary for Works Mr. Joel Luma, who have both been envisioning this revival and who have both made sure funding has been allocated entirely for this purpose.

Preparations are presently underway to supply provinces with a "flying squad team" consisting of a Tipper Truck, a Wacker Packer and a single-drum roller which will be utilized by a road workercrew who will carry out minor road works that require immediate repair and maintenance.

PTB workshops situated in capital locations throughout the country, where the State has huge invesments in their constructions are being re-equipped with necessary facilities and tools. PTB re-opens these workshops to an estimated 5,000 Government vehicle users for Preventive Maintenace Services and General Repair Service at cheaper-than private rates. Respective Provincial Works/Plant Managers will be able to provide further details.

Finally, PTB is now working towards the re-introduction of an Apprenticeship Scheme for heavy Equipment Fitters and Motor Vehicle Mechanics starting in 2010. In collaboration with the Department of Works Institute of Technology, PTB with it's Provincial Workshops are ideal on-the-job training grounds and it's fleetholding are ideal training aids with aims at developing about 20x school leavers per year into productive citizens in the future in the field of plant/vehicle repair and maintenance.