Loss of court facilities in Mendi ‘worst experience’

By ANGELA PAUL
The judiciary says the loss of court facilities in Mendi is its “worst experience ever in PNG”.
The complete loss of national and district court facilities and equipment on June 15 was the act of arsonists who were unhappy with a court decision on an election petition.
National Judicial Staff Services (NJSS) Secretary Jack Kariko said the judiciary had worked long and hard since 2010 to build the facilities that were destroyed.
“The district court was built by Australian Aid under the partnership of Law and Justice (Sector Secretariat) at a cost of around K3 million in 2011,” he said.
“The national court was initially the district court building which was upgraded by the judiciary at a cost of K500,000. A further K600,000 was spent on equipment and supplies.”
Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia said the rule of law should be maintained in the province.
He said the judiciary was holding discussions with law and justice agencies to continue court operations in Southern Highlands.
“The judiciary is considering operating on a temporary basis at Ialibu and Pangia district courts,” Sir Salamo said.
Kariko said the judiciary is working on the cost of rebuilding the facilities in Mendi.
He said the amount estimated would be more than what was spent in the past.
The Southern Highlands court files, are digitised and were not lost.