The Judicial Services in Papua New Guinea continues to expand its services to provincial towns. Yesterday, it elevated West New Britain Province to a sub-regional court location.
This means, West New Britain is one step away from becoming a full court location, like Kokopo in East New Britain, Lae in Morobe and Mt Hagen in Western Highlands.
The elevation comes following the swearing in of the second residential judge for Kimbe and the commissioning of the Kimbe National Court Complex.
The elevation is in line with Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia’s vision to establish and improve judicial services at provincial and district levels.
Speaking during the commissioning event, Sir Salamo explained that, National Courts must be expanded to accommodate the increase in court cases, and minimize the time that court takes, to complete proceedings.
Sir Salamo said without proper court facilities, a judge will not be able to hear cases.
The new Kimbe Court Complex was officially opened by the Chief Justice in the presence of the residential judges and the chief magistrate.
It houses the Judge’s chambers and a renovated National Courtroom.
Inside the chambers, there is a little lounge area, the judges’ work station, a showroom and kitchen facilities.
It was built with support from the provincial government at a cost of K700, 000.
Those who attended the commissioning were given the opportunity to enter the chambers and the new courtroom.
- Apart from Kimbe National Court, West New Britain has the Talasea National Court and it will be building a National Court facility in Biala.
The ground breaking ceremony was held in Biala this morning.
