A state-of-the-art magistrate’s court was commissioned yesterday in Mahdia, Region Eight, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The $240 million courthouse features amenities and living quarters for magistrates and staff.
The courthouse was constructed on more than three acres of land adjacent to the Guyana Police Force headquarters in Mahdia, DPI said. Prior to the new building, the court operated within the cramped confines of 6 feet by 4 feet office at the Guyana Police Force quarters.
The new building has public waiting areas, audio/visual recording facilities, air conditioning, space for probation offices, a child-friendly room, a library and a resource centre.
“Prior to this new season, access to justice created some burden to persons. However, this edifice will help to ease that burden,” Senior Magistrate, Clive Nurse, said during the commissioning ceremony.
Magistrate Nurse will soon begin hearing cases at the new court.
“This means that access has become more convenient, less expensive and readily available in the footsteps of residents of Region Eight. This, no doubt, is one of the multitude of blessings that continually surround us,” he said.
Chancellor of the Judiciary, (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards, said staffing for the court will come from both Georgetown and Mahdia.
“We have already received approval from the public service ministry to enlarge the court structure in this area and our principal personnel officer will return here to do the interviews and to have persons from this very town employed. Mahdia, this is yours and we will have staffing from right here,” she affirmed.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, outlined the significance and historical importance of the new courthouse.
With the recent openings of the Port Kaituma and Mahaicony Magistrates’ Courts, and the imminent opening of several others, Nandlall cited the rapid pace of development initiatives across all regions of the country.
