Government
Gibbs Takes the Keys: New Housing Minister Sworn In After Sutherland’s Sudden Exit”
Barbados has a new Housing Minister. Chris Gibbs, the Member of Parliament for St. Michael West, was officially sworn in at State House, just 24 hours after the abrupt resignation of Dwight Sutherland on Wednesday September 3rd 2025.
The ceremony, witnessed by family, colleagues, and friends, marked a swift transition in one of the government’s most high-profile and consequential ministries.
Gibbs, visibly humbled, described the moment as a monumental step in his political career. He expressed gratitude to God for strength and to Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley for reposing confidence in him.
“This is not just another appointment,” Gibbs said in his first public remarks as minister. “Housing is central to the lives of every Barbadian. It is about dignity, opportunity, and stability. I want to ensure that every Barbadian has access to affordable, resilient, and dignified homes.”
The St. Michael West MP, who has served his constituency for the past three and a half years, said his experiences in an urban area have shown him firsthand how poor housing can affect social conditions. He noted links between inadequate housing, crime, and overcrowded communities, pledging to focus on solutions that address these challenges.
“I offer opportunities for Barbadians—for better housing, stronger communities, and more innovative solutions to housing delivery,” Gibbs explained. “We need to crank out houses faster, but we must also bring small contractors into the fold so they can play a greater role in building our country.”
One of his earliest priorities, Gibbs said, will be improving transparency in the national housing list, an issue that has long frustrated applicants.
“Too many Barbadians don’t know where they stand. They call MPs in confusion because there is no clear system. That has to change. My mission is to ensure that people are treated with fairness and respect, and that they get good service from this ministry.”
While his predecessor, Dwight Sutherland, had unveiled an ambitious target of 10,000 homes, Gibbs said he intends to first review all ongoing projects with ministry officials before setting new goals.
“I’m not going to make lofty promises I can’t keep,” he cautioned. “I need to get my feet wet, sit down with the Permanent Secretary and the technical team, and then determine what is realistic. Barbadians deserve honesty, not empty promises.”
Prime Minister Mottley, in welcoming Gibbs to the Cabinet role, described him as a committed parliamentarian who has already proven his ability to connect with constituents in both rural and urban areas. She said his appointment comes at a crucial time, when the government is redoubling its efforts to deliver housing solutions to lower- and middle-income Barbadians.
With the swearing-in complete, Gibbs now shoulders the responsibility of one of the government’s most closely scrutinized portfolios. From the national waiting list to ambitious housing targets, the eyes of the nation will be on him as he sets out to deliver results in a ministry that directly touches thousands of lives.
