Statement following Chris Thomas stepping down as DoI Minister role | July 2023
18 July 2023
See below statement from Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce following the news that Chris Thomas has been asked to step down from his role as the Department of Infrastructure Minister:
The DoI needs a complete overhaul and, most importantly, a change in the culture and mindset within the department. The purpose of the DoI should be to provide the Island’s long-term infrastructure needs to meet the demands of the general public, businesses, and visitors – and in doing so support our quality of life and growth of the economy. A number of major concerns about the DoI have been raised in recent years. It’s clear that there was a failure by previous administrations to plan effectively for the future, so instead of the Department keeps on being dragged back by the legacy of that failure. Ultimately, for the Department to fulfil its remit it needs to deliver on the Island’s long-term infrastructure needs, and deliver projects on time and within agreed budgets. This is clearly not happening right now. We would like to see a major overhaul of the department and a change in attitude so that there is greater involvement from, and collaboration with, all stakeholders who depend on DoI. Chamber would be happy to contribute this type of input from our wide range of knowledgeable business leaders