The completion of the Magistrates’ Court complex is essential to facilitate the further execution of justice and to enhance the working conditions of staff said Public Works and Transport Minister the Hon. Neko Grant as he signed a contract for $6,427,731.61 Thursday with Adler Construction Company to complete the Nassau and South Streets complex.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Hon. Michael Barnett described the completion of the Magistrates’ Court complex as an on-going process. “You will recall that we have announced the decision to refurbish the Supreme Court complex on Rawson Square and you will be aware that we have agreed for the refurbishment of the Hansard Building where Justice Anita Allen presided,” said Minister Barnett.

“All of this is an ongoing process and we are pleased that this work is going to continue so that at the end of the day the facilities within which those who work in the administration of justice will be enhanced, and the facilities will be suitable to the work they are doing and we look forward to the completion of this process,” he added.

The Attorney General said there are many persons involved in the administration of justice including the court, court officials, the police and the public. “It needs the cooperation of all of them; to the extent we need facilities to be provided, those facilities will be provided.

“The more courts you have that are functioning on a daily basis the more you are able to expedite work in the courts when the facilities within in which people are working are comfortable and it enhances their work ethics and their ability to produce,” he said.

Furthermore, “The issues in the administration of justice were not created overnight and they are not simple. They are not going to be solved overnight and if there were simple solutions those solutions would have been found.

“It is an ongoing process in which we try as best we can to address the issues in terms of providing the things that we know need to be provided and make adjustments along the way as we go. We are making inroads and this is one step as part of that process.”

The Attorney General noted that the primary objective is to carryout the work of the Magistrates’ Courts in the Nassau Street complex.

Chief architect in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport Livingston Forbes said the building, which will house 12 court rooms is presently at belt-course level and roughly 50 per cent completed.

He disclosed that state-of-the-art equipment would be provided in the facility including a computerised system, cameras and other electronic equipment.

Photo: Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Hon. Michael Barnett presents a copy of the $6,427,731.61 contract for the completion of the construction of the Magistrates’ Court complex on Nassau and South Streets to contractor Adler Minus, as Public Works and Transport Minister the Hon. Neko C. Grant looks on. (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)