Sutherland lauds NHC’s achievements as it marks 50 years

Minister of Housing Dwight Sutherland is lauding the achievements of the National Housing Corporation as it marks its 50th year of operations.

On Sunday, during a church service held at St Luke’s Anglican Church in St George, Sutherland said that the state-owned-enterprise had a number of remarkable successes over the years as it sought to empower Barbadians.

“The National Housing Corporation was established on April 1, 1973 by way of the merger of the then Housing Authority and Urban Development Corporation. At Its inception, just seven years after independence, and still today, the functions of the NHC included the acquiring and managing land and other property of any kind whatsoever and selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of such land; carrying out development, building, maintenance, repair, improvement and other operations; to provide water, gas, electricity, sewage and other services; to carry on any business or undertaking in, or for the purposes of, any housing development; to make financial advances to persons in certain circumstances; and to execute plans for slum clearance and development,” he said.

“Armed with this wide-ranging mandate, the NHC has since transformed the lives of thousands of Barabdians over the last half of a century. The story of the NHC shows how truly remarkable and valuable both land and home ownership have been in helping to lift ordinary Barabdians out of hardship and poverty.

“These assets have been critical to providing persons not only with adequate shelter over their heads but with collateral or security to better their own lives and those of their children and grandchildren.”

The Minister thanked the staff for their contribution over the years, adding that the achievements of the corporation could not have been made without them.

“The fingerprints and footprints of the NHC are everywhere to be found across Barbados. The social improvement and upliftment for countless Barbadians is inextricably linked with the story of the NHC, whose artisans and managers have over the years, developed an enviable record as master builders and craftsmen of high repute . . . Countless Barbadians from all walks of life owe a deep debt of gratitude to the NHC and staff of yesteryear and even today.

“So I wish to salute these early builders on behalf of a grateful nation.” (SZB)