The Buildings department formerly known as the Public Works Department (PWD) was headed by a Commissioner of Works. The department comprised a number of specialized branches such as General Branch, Buildings Branch, Roads Branch, Mechanical Branch, Electrical Branch, and Water and Sewerage Branch.

In 1956 an inquiry was commissioned which made recommendations to the effect that the Department of Public Works be restructured by creating the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Water Development and Irrigation Branch to the Ministry of Agriculture. It was after this inquiry where the recommendation for a Planning and Progressing Department was recommended to be set up to carry out accurate money allocation in terms of budgeting. In the 1950’s the department was known as the Ministry of Lands and Works and later in 1959 became the Ministry of Transport and Works.

The department used to undertake tasks on force account through the Government financing mechanism. This system could not continue providing better services as the government revenues started declining due to general poor performance in almost all sectors of the economy.

The many responsibilities of the Buildings Department are to design and manage the construction and maintenance of all Government Buildings through architectural, quantity surveying and engineering tasks.
The Department is a principal Government Consultant on construction matters and in formulating regulatory framework for the construction industry in the country.

It comprises mainly of three professional/technical sections namely Engineering, Quantity Surveying and Architecture. Other sections include Maintenance, Landscaping and Horticulture.

Engineering Section
The following are the duties performed by the Engineering section:-
• Feasibility Studies
• Electrical Designs and Consultancy
• Structural Designs and Consultancy
• Water and Drainage Design and  Consultancy

Quantity Surveying
• Services offered under this section include
• Building Cost Advice
• Building Cost planning
• Contract Documentation
• Preparation of Bills of Quantities and Material schedules
• Tendering and contractual arrangements
• Contract Services
• Common lease Household scheme
 
Architectural Section 
• Services offered under the Architectural Section include:
• Preliminary Surveys
• Feasibility Studies
• All Architectural Consultancy
• Common Lease household scheme
• Landscaping