Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP has officially opened the Bialla Court Complex on Friday (14/04/23) in Bialla, West New Britain Province.
The Bialla Court Complex, which will house both the District and the National Courts was built on budget at the cost of K9.1 million.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Marape made a verbal commitment to build the same type of facilities for other districts right across the country.
He further added that he is aware of the Judiciary’s planned reforms for a three tiered Court system that will see the Court of appeals as well as the District and National Courts brought to the districts closer to the people and that the Minister for Justice and Attorney General Hon. Pila Niningi will be bringing a paper to Cabinet next week.
Prime Minister Marape informed Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika that he looks forward to receiving the Judiciary’s plans for reform and committed in principal, to make available funding to build facilities like the Bialla Court facilities in districts across the country.
The Prime Minister went on to discourage the people of Nakanai from getting involved in or perpetrating law and order issues that will see them come before the Courts for prosecution.
He said this will help the Government spend the money saved towards improving health and education in the country.
Prime Minister Marape added that when there is an increase in unlawful activities, the Government will have to use the limited financial resources available to pay for police personnel to address issue and there will be limited or no funds to go towards infrastructure development, improved Health and education services.
He reiterated the same message he gave to the people of Talasea that when his Government came into office after the 2022 National General Election, they had five development agendas that they wanted to see improved.
The Prime Miniater said those five main development agendas were economic development, infrastructure development, improved Health, Education and Law & Order.
Prime Minister Marape said while the Government can implement the work for infrastructure and improved health and education, economic development and especially improved law and order is everyone’s responsibility, including all levels of government and the public service.
The Prime Minister also pledged to make available funding for the construction of a district hospital for Nakanai in Bialla.
