PNG needs more judges

By CLARISSA MOI
CHIEF Justice Sir Gibbs Salika says he hopes that the Government will increase the total number of judges in the country to 60.
He said this in Port Moresby yesterday following the reappointment of nine acting judges of the National Court and Supreme Court.
Sir Gibbs said there were 40 judges in the country.
“We are hoping that the Government will increase our ceiling from 40 to 60,” he said.
“That’s what I’ve asked for the Government to help.
“But it’s a bit too late for this Government to help so we’ll await the next Government after the elections.”
Sir Gibbs said they would take their submission to increase the number of judges to the next Justice Minister to have before the National Executive Council for consideration.
Sir Gibbs said nine who had been reappointed acting judges had already served a year and would continue for another year in their acting capacities.
Acting Judge Gertrude Tamade said a lot of good work had been done over the last 12 months and the extension of another year was welcomed.
“There’s a lot of work to be done and we are thankful to the Judicial and Legal Services (JLS) for this extension and we look forward to do more,” she said. Tamade, from Taemigidu village in Nawaeb, Morobe had been working in the corporate sector focusing on commercial litigation since 2004, until her appointment as an acting judge last year.
She was among the nine who were sworn in yesterday. The acting judges are Nerrie Pinau Eliakim, Camillus Sambua, Tracy Ganaii, Laura Wawun-Kuvi, Irene Ann Mugugia, Gerhard Linge, Michael Thoke, Tamade and Emma Wurr.
They recited the declaration of office, declaration of loyalty and judicial declaration before Governor- General Sir Bob Dadae.
The occasion was attended by Sir Gibbs, Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi, fellow judges of the National and Supreme Courts and the families of the acting judges.