$1M NOT ENOUGH FOR COURT INFRASTRUCTURE
Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 19 January 2019
“A $1 MILLION the Government allocated for court infrastructures in this year’s budget is inadequate for that purposes.
“That’s according to Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer.
“He was speaking at the opening of the 2019 Legal Year, Thursday.
“And he urged the Government to set aside adequate funding for Court infrastructures to repair, maintain and build new court houses.
“It is obvious that Government funding of $1 million for development budget for the National Judiciary this year is not enough,” Sir Albert said.
“We will need assistance to move this forward to this year,” he added.
“Sir Albert said he cannot stress strongly enough the urgency of infrastructure expansion and extensions both for the High Court and the Magistrates’ Court.
“What we urgently need is for both funding to be made available by Government and land for expansion.
“With limited funds of only $1million allocated, this is preventing us from repairing all court houses and expanding in provincial and main community centres.”
“He said old and dilapidated court houses must be repaired and maintained, and that new court buildings constructed.
“The courts of the country cannot continue to use police buildings and sit in run down dilapidated buildings.”
“Sir Albert added that they also need proper housing to accommodate Magistrates.
“He said this includes the Local Courts and Customary Land Appeal Courts who travel on circuits to those community centres scattered throughout the country, without posing problems of perception of independence and impartiality when travelling.”
Copyright @ 2019, Solomon Star News.
