Restoring confidence is job number one, says new housing minister

Newly appointed Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Christopher Gibbs, has vowed to rebuild public confidence in the ministry, distancing himself from past stumbles and promising greater transparency, communication, and efficiency in housing delivery.

Gibbs’ appointment follows a turbulent chapter marked by project delays, public frustration, and the abrupt resignation of his predecessor Dwight Sutherland, who left the Cabinet on Wednesday, citing personal reasons.

After being sworn in before President Dame Sandra Mason during a brief Thursday ceremony at State House, Gibbs said he will focus on transparency, reducing inefficiencies, and providing timely updates on housing applications.

“Restoring confidence in this ministry in the eyes of Barbadians is job number one. We know the issues that preceded me,” he told Barbados TODAY following the ceremony, acknowledging the issues that have plagued the Government’s Home Ownership Providing Energy (HOPE) project and broader frustrations with the ministry’s service delivery.

Gibbs, the MP for St Michael West who entered Parliament in January 2022, replaces Dwight Sutherland, who resigned from Cabinet on Wednesday, citing personal reasons.

Sutherland is the third minister to leave the Mottley-led Cabinet in under a year, following the departures of Corey Lane and Marsha Caddle earlier this year.

The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw, and Senior Minister Dr William Duguid were among those present to witness his oath.

“I would like to thank Minister Gibbs for stepping up to the plate,” Mottley said.

“This ministry is pivotal to the government’s programme, and I have every confidence that he will bring to it the same diligence and passion he’s brought as MP for St Michael West, and throughout his career as a leading businessman in this country.”

Thanking the Prime Minister for her confidence, Gibbs said he is aware of the weight of the responsibility, noting, “[This is] a consequential ministry that is so important to the lives of every Barbadian.”

He added: “I would like to continue the work laid before and offer opportunities to Barbadians [for] affordable, resilient, and dignified housing…  I look forward to creating solutions that can tackle challenges for the greater Barbados to get more housing efficiently done, create innovative solutions to crank out houses quicker, and also to support smaller contractors to play a greater role in the building and development of this country.”

Later, in an interview with Barbados TODAY, Gibbs addressed the controversial HOPE project, stating his plans for improvement.

“I look forward to coming on and making that agency more productive, cutting out wastage so we can deliver solutions to Barbadians who eagerly await and need it,” he said, adding that while he recognises HOPE faced hiccups in the past, he believes it has “turned a corner”.

“We’re seeing houses being built. We’re seeing people moving in. And I think that was the main issue before; there was a lot of mystery. You weren’t seeing people getting keys,” he said.

“My job now is to make sure people get keys so they see that the government is working for them.”

Asked whether he planned to revisit the ambitious target of 10 000 houses in five years set by his predecessor, Gibbs said it was too early to say but that he would not make any “lofty promises”.

“I need to get my feet wet first, so let me get into the ministry,” he responded.

“I will be having meetings with my permanent secretary and ministry officials. We’ll look at the programme and see what realistically we can offer. I’m not going to go in there and make lofty promises that I can’t keep. Barbadians want this ministry to give them good service, so that’s one of the areas I will be concentrating on. People will know their status in terms of where they are on the list.”

Gibbs said constituents often complain about long delays and lack of communication regarding housing applications, and he intends to change that, adding, “That will be part of my mission as well.”

Though he acknowledged the housing crisis is particularly visible in urban communities like his own, Gibbs was careful to emphasise that his role is a national one.

“As an urban MP, I’m very aware of the challenges, but I am the Minister for Barbados,” he said.

“The priority, as set by the Cabinet and the Honourable Prime Minister, is to [serve] the lower- and middle-income earners, and the most vulnerable in this country.” (SM)