The Department of Public Works was created by an Act of the National Legislature in 1928, and was later changed to the Ministry of Public Works in 1972 to adequately administer the Engineering component of the State in terms of surveying, drafting/designing, construction and supervision, to improve and maintain, direct or by contract all highways, bridges, roads, streets, airport, seaport, and all other public infrastructure in the Republic of Liberia.

The Ministry sole purposes are surveying, drafting and designing construction and supervising construction contracts, and the maintenance of roads, bridges, and public buildings.