By Vasinatta Yama, EM TV – Port Moresby
Today the National and Supreme Courts of Papua New Guinea officially opened the 2015 legal year at the Waigani Court.
Chief Justice, Sir Salamo Injia, officiated the ceremony, and told the disciplinary forces to implement decisions made by the courts, without question or pause.
The ceremony began with a march from Godwit Street, just outside the Australian High Commission on Independence Drive, and continued into the Waigani National and Supreme Court premises.
At the ceremony, the Chief Justice emphasised that the liberty, dignity, and the rights of individual citizens must be respected and protected.
In his address, Sir Injia asked the three disciplinary forces and the legal officers to perform their duties with care and leadership.
He reminded that the country is governed by the rule of law, and so all must provide leadership and ensure that the rule of law prevails.
Chief Justice, Sir Injia stated that there are challenges that the court faces every year.
Many of these challenges are brought by the government on the type of decisions passed in the parliament.
“However, the court is there to resolve disputes,” he said.
Meanwhile, the event ended with the ground-breaking ceremony of a construction phase of the K600 million project that will house the National and Supreme Courts, and the Court of Appeal.
The construction will consist of 14 courtrooms, Judges’ chambers, detainee cells and an administration building accommodating registries, and administrative functions.
It is hoped to be completed by 2017, just in time for the 2018 APEC meeting.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=S2zoE46GTXI%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0E8EwSSH3Kqc
