District officers deserve better

IT is worrying when public officers at the district level are calling out for support so they can deliver what is required of them.
The district level is where the bulk of the population is.
Of late, there has been concerns with the support for village courts and rural police to name a few.
Many may not really understand or acknowledge the role of the village court even though it is a vital part of the law and justice sector in the country.
It is the lowest tier of the court system but that does not mean it is the least important.
Its effectiveness and success means a lot to how the District Court, National Court and Supreme Court carry out their functions.
It began operating in 1975 and since then, the number of courts has greatly increased and they now serve two thirds of the population of Papua New Guinea.
When there is a breakdown in law and order in rural communities, it is the village court which deals with it first.
Since its inception, this court has played a vital role in the justice system of PNG, providing access to justice for a significant portion of the population.
There are approximately 1000 village courts across PNG.
These courts place the administration of justice largely in the hands of people in the communities in which the disputes arise.
Village court peace officers were community constables who have power to arrest suspected law-breakers and take them to court.
The village courts, like the district courts, are courts of statutory jurisdiction.
In criminal cases outside the jurisdiction of the village courts, the peace officers can escort the suspects to district stations and hand them over to police officers who then lay appropriate charges and have them appear in the district court.
Because of the authority village courts carry, they enjoy the respect and confidence of the people. Magistrates and peace officers are admired.
But that seems not to be the case anymore in some provinces. There is a general breakdown in the rule of law in many rural parts of the country.
And while some may blame that on the lack of police presence and the decline in government services, part of the reason is because the village court officials have lost the respect and honour they once enjoyed.
To make matters worse, police officers in district stations are handicapped by the lack of transport and logistics to follow up these cases.
This is the reality in many rural communities.
One of the vital steps to restore law and order is to make the village courts more effective again and restore the authority and respect they once enjoyed.
District administrators must ensure village court officers receive the support they need – a court house, uniform and stationery.
Cases should no longer be held out under trees, for example.
A review of the conditions of services, appointment process of officials and improvement to court facilities are urgently needed.
On top of that, village court magistrates and officials must be paid appropriately for the services they provide.
And they must be appointed on merit.
They must have a good understanding of customary laws to assist in their work.
Maintaining the rule of law is very important because law and order problems are threatening communities.
Credit must also be given to the village court officials who work tirelessly despite the lack of attention from authorities.
Their biggest challenge over the years has been the lack of logistical support and training.
Some of them have served faithfully for 20 years or more and will gladly continue for a few more years simply for the love of the
job.
Surely they deserve more attention from the Government than what they are getting now.