THE budget for the overhaul of the Licensing Department is approximately $400 million, Works and Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Cheryl Blackman said yesterday.

She said the budget included construction, hiring of staff, purchasing of office equipment and customising of the facility.

Blackman was speaking with the media following a tour of the site of the Civil Aviation Complex at the Caroni North Bank Road, Piarco.

In June this year, Warner announced that the Licensing Department would be overhauled by year's end, with the first major move being the relocation of the Licensing head office, currently located at Wrightson Road, to Frederick Settlement in Caroni.

He also announced that the licensing office in St James will be moved to the Wrightson Road building now housing the head office, and ten access centres will be established across the country, including in Tobago, Penal, Chaguanas, San Fernando and Rio Claro.

He had also promised that by the end of 2010, every vehicle will be equipped with a new number plate which will have a special micro chip which will help in the fight against crime.

Yesterday, Blackman said the project was currently in "phase two" and they have received a proposal from the consultants that was being reviewed. She said following the review, a presentation will be made to a steering committee headed by the Minister and, based on outcome, they will know how to move forward.

Warner, who also attended the tour, told the media that two of the four new water taxi vessels that he announced would be sold should be put up for public auction in a month's time, once he obtains Cabinet approval.

"There's no reason to keep them," he added.

On Monday, Warner inspected the four new water taxi vessels—the Calypso Sprinter, Trini Flash, Paria Bullet and the Carnival Runner—at Stauble's Bay, Chaguaramas. They were constructed in Australia at a cost of approximately $430 million.

There are currently two water taxis operating the Port of Spain-to-San Fernando route, and Warner previously stated it would not be economical to have four taxis in operation.

He also said the access to offices for the new Motor Vehicle Authority and the construction of the Mamoral Dam in Central Trinidad were two major facets of the $4 billion request for his Ministry for today's 2010/ 2011 national budget.