THERE will be increased security measures implemented at the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) following the arson attempt of derelict buses at their Carlsen Field yard in March.
This according to Minister of Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan in an answer to Opposition Senator Wade Mark in the Senate on Wednesday.
Mark asked Sinanan what measures were in place to prevent the recurrence following the fire at PTSC’s Carlsen Field compound which destroyed several “shell buses.”
Sinanan described the fire as a result of “an act of revenge” by persons attempting to retrieve scrap iron. In addition, PTSC has implemented new measures to prevent such re-occurrences.
He stated that, “PTSC has since moved its Bus Shells Unit to a more “secured and confined” formation.
“Solar powered lights and security cameras have been installed, a new lift barrier to the compound’s main entrance has also been installed, and a guard booth erected to enhance overall surveillance and response.”
The minister responded to Senator Mark’s question on how will the PTSC deal with the environmental hazard associated with the shell buses.
However, Sinanan said, “There is a process to follow when you are dealing government assets.”
He added, “The PTSC from time to time will engage in that process. It is an active cooperation and will have derelict vehicles, but they do engage in the process to reduce that stock.”
The transport minister added that all government entities, like PTSC, go through the process of an auction which is used to dispose of state assets.
Sinanan said, “It’s a process that involves the Board of Surveys to ensure that the Government’s procedures are followed.
“There is no real value that you can say is a book value, because these assets would have been written down at the end of the day.”
He said, “Once you put an auction, of course, following all the correct procedures, that is the value you will get after the auction.”
“There’s no schedule for such auctions as these are initiated once there are enough vehicles to hold one,” Sinanan added.
