MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Monday, engaged Regional Housing Officers (RHOs) in discussions aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of housing and land-related services across the country, as the Government continues efforts to strengthen institutional performance within the sector.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Brickdam headquarters, was attended by Minister within the Ministry, Vanessa Benn; Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Dr. Martin Pertab and Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen. Senior officials used the forum to outline expectations and reinforce the role of RHOs in advancing national housing programmes at the regional level.
According to the Ministry, discussions focused on improving turnaround times, strengthening accountability, and ensuring timely responses to citizens’ needs.
Minister Croal emphasised the importance of consistent service standards and effective implementation of housing policies, noting that regional offices serve as the primary point of contact between the public and the housing sector.
The engagement also allowed Regional Housing Officers to raise operational challenges and share field-level experiences, providing the Ministry with insight into constraints affecting service delivery.
Issues related to co-ordination between regional offices and the central administration were highlighted, with officials stressing the need for closer collaboration to ensure policies are implemented uniformly across all regions.
Dr. Pertab reiterated CHPA’s mandate to deliver accessible and equitable housing solutions, while underscoring the importance of data-driven decision-making and adherence to established procedures. Minister Benn, in her remarks, encouraged regional officers to maintain transparency and professionalism in their interactions with the public.
The Ministry noted that the engagement forms part of an ongoing strategy to align regional operations with national housing objectives.
Officials said the outcomes of the discussions are expected to contribute to improved performance, greater responsiveness at the regional level, and increased public confidence in the services provided by the Central Housing and Planning Authority.