A total of $24 million has been spent to improve the Mibikuri Magistrate’s Court, located in Black Bush Polder, in order to offer better services to the people of the community and its environs.
Speaking at the recommissioning of the court yesterday, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings–Edwards explained that the improvements were made to ensure that people in every part of Guyana have “quality access to justice.”
The court provides legal services at the summary level for Mibikuri, Johana, Yakusari, Lesbeholden and other communities in Black Bush Polder. Presi-ding at the location will be Senior Magistrate Alex Moore. However, Magis-trate Rabindranuth Singh, Magistrate Renita Singh and Magistrate Peter Hugh, who are located in the district, will also sit there when necessary.
According to the Chancellor, previously the court system at the location provided challenges and it did not cater to the needs of the residents as the building was dilapidated and bat infested, while the compound was flooded almost every day of the year. “It was realized that there was a need to have this building refurbished and rehabilitated to meet the needs of modern society,” she said.
She stressed that UNICEF has been a generous partner in assisting to have all the magistrate’s courts equipped with a Special Room for the vulnerable, such as women and children, where they can go and provide evidence instead of in the courtroom itself.
In addition to the improvement to the building, amenities and compound itself, a television system was placed on the ground floor, where persons from the community can go and observe the proceedings. The room is also accessible to persons in wheelchairs.
Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, who gave the feature address at the recommissioning yesterday, stated that the government and the judiciary will continue to have a very fruitful and successful relationship “as we continue to strive to ensure that there is access to justice and that there is true administration of justice right across the length and breath of our country irrespective of geographic location.”
Nandlall stressed that brand new courts are also being constructed at Maba-ruma, Vigilance, Cove and John, Mahaicony, La Par-faite Harmonie, Timehri, and Friendship, East Bank Demerara.
Meanwhile, according to Nandlall they are also working on constructing a brand new complex which will headquarter the Judi-ciary, the Court of Appeal and see the High Court and Land Court in one modern complex.”
He noted that these necessary investments are being made because access to justice is as important as access to healthcare, food, water, housing, etc. He said, “If you have no rights, if your freedoms are not protected then life becomes a waste of time,” while stressing that the administration of justice protects one’s rights, freedom and liberties.
