THE Southern Highlands Provincial Government (SHPG) has marked a major milestone in restoring law and order, with the completion of a new National Court House and a Resident Judge’s residence in Mendi.
Provincial Administrator Mr. David Kelma formally presented the Certificate of Completion to the Secretary of National Judicial Staff Services, signaling that the facilities are ready for use. The handover was witnessed by senior judicial officials, who commended the high standard of the buildings.
The reconstruction effort was driven by Governor Hon. William Powi, following the destruction of previous infrastructure during a period of political unrest. The new facilities replace those that were damaged and aim to re-establish a strong and permanent judicial presence in the province.
“These assets belong to the people of Southern Highlands. We call on all citizens to take ownership and protect them,” Mr. Kelma said. “Under this administration, the province is moving forward and rebuilding stronger than before.”
Judicial officials highlighted the importance of the new Resident Judge’s residence, noting that having a judge based in Mendi will significantly improve access to justice. Without a resident judge, court services often face delays due to travel requirements, slowing down case processing.
The completion of these facilities demonstrates SHPG’s commitment to strengthening law and order and ensuring efficient delivery of judicial services across the province.
While the official commissioning is scheduled for later this year, the infrastructure is already enabling Mendi to resume full judicial operations, marking a significant step forward for the Southern Highlands.