Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has said that $750 million still remains in the Supreme Court budget before the end of the year, which he deemed testament to the ongoing transformation in the sector.
“I just had a quick word with the Chancellor. We have to get off over $750 million …. Imagine we have money now and have difficulty in spending it within the timeframe available and that’s the transformation that we are speaking about,” he said.
Nandlall was speaking at the opening of the Mahaicony Court in Region Five last Monday.
He said the government recognises the importance of providing access to justice.
“The government will continue to invest with the judiciary in the legal sector because we recognise the legal sector provides a service that is so essential to civilisation.”
Nandlall noted government’s efforts to improve access to legal services and pointed out the many courts that have been opened, repaired, or slated to come on board soon.
Having visited Siparuta and Orealla recently – two villages along the Corentyne River – he said a court may have to be established in the area to save residents from having to travel 60 miles up the river to get to Skeldon.
Early in the first two weeks of 2025, courts will open at Mahdia and Mabaruma, and at several other locations across the country.
A multiplex court is on the cards for Providence, East Bank Demerara, along with courts at Soesdyke, Parfaite Harmonie, and Tuschen.
The government this year also commissioned a court for children at Wales, West Bank Demerara, the first of its kind outside of Georgetown. One at Port Kaituma, Region One has also been opened.
