The Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities is in the process of reviewing its management structure.
It is also focusing on a number of its programmes and initiatives including the URP, the Development Programme and practices such as procurement, rent and use policy and the accounting system.
Secretary of the Division, Assemblyman Gary Melville noted that is with a view to finding more value for the money spent given the state of the economy with regards to oil and gas prices. He stressed: “We in the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities are committed to operating fiscal prudency in this financial year. We want to extract value from the money given to us and to be accountable in our delivery. In this regard the Division
He told Wednesday’s post Executive Council media briefing: “We expect to see some changes in our operations including the restructuring of our various sections, recruitment of new managers and in some cases the re-assignment of personnel. The intention is for the Division to become an efficient and predictable unit in our delivery to the people of Tobago.
“Part of that goal is to also tackle the stigma of corruption sometimes associated with the Division by having in place much more proficient management accounting system that can serve the test of public expectations, resulting in the Division being more transparent and accountable,” Melville said.
He said the report on the Scarborough traffic study done by Tobago Transportation Consultancy Services revealed a technically flawed and outdated traffic signal system, less than optimum intersection configurations, the dominance of low occupancy cars or sedans and taxis and parking and crossings issues.
He added that the study is being analysed to upgrade the traffic system at an estimated cost of $450,000 to manage and support a better management system so that vehicles can spend less time at traffic lights which would be coordinated along the Claude Noel Highway.
“We are also going to invest in a data collection system at an estimated cost of $150,000 to continue research and monitoring efforts and to allow for practical and predictable adjustments to traffic engineering during periods of high demand and seasonality. We are also going to put in place a number of road network strategies including the widening of intersections and the completion of theSangsters/Mt Marie Bypass road.”
Melville said the appointment of 100 traffic wardens promised by a former minister of works would be one of the areas of collaboration to be taken up with the new minister since these positions have already been created. “Having traffic wardens would assist us in treating with some of the traffic issues we have in Tobago,” he stressed.