By ORCHY REX
Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae officially opened the new Waigani National Court Complex yesterday, describing it as “a magnificent symbol of Papua New Guinea’s enduring commitment to justice, rule of law, and constitutional governance”.
The K780 million state-of-the-art facility stands as one of the most significant infrastructure projects ever undertaken for the country’s judiciary. It was fully funded by the National Government, with funding approvals made under then Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
The Governor General reminded the nation of the historical significance of the site, recalling that the original court complex was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in February 1974, on the eve of independence.
Quoting the late monarch, Sir Bob said: “Chief Justice, like you, I hope Papua New Guinea judges will soon be working in this building that it will always remain an impartial court and a guardian of the rights of the individual.”
Sir Bob reaffirmed that this vision remains central to the judiciary’s role today. “Those words, spoken more than five decades ago, continue to resonate with clarity and relevance,” he said.
“They reflect, not just the hopes of a constitutional monarch, but the foundational principles upon which our judiciary was built – impartiality, independence, and the sacred duty to protect the rights of every individual.”
The Waigani National Court Complex project began in 2013 with design and planning phases completed in 2015. The State awarded the construction contract to China Railway Construction Engineering PNG Ltd in July 2016, though work commenced in March 2017 due to funding delays. Project management was initially undertaken by Point Project Management, later RPS Project Management, and eventually completed by MGF Project Management in 2025.
The modern facility houses 15 courtrooms, including the distinguished Banco Court, and 31 judges’ chambers. It also accommodates essential administrative divisions such as court registries, court reporting services, judicial databases, and an advanced data center – ushering the judiciary into the digital age. Both the Information Technology division and the Court Reporting Service have already moved into the new building.
Sir Bob said the complex was not just about physical infrastructure but represented the nation’s respect for justice and democracy. “The state-of-the-art facility is more than just bricks, mortar, and architectural excellence. It is the institutional heart of justice in Papua New Guinea. Within its walls, reside the hopes of our people, for fairness, for redress, for resolution, and for protection under the law.”
He further emphasized the independence of the judiciary, stating: “It is one of the three co-equal arms of government. And as such, its independence must never be compromised, its authority must be respected, and its integrity must be fiercely guarded.”
The opening ceremony was attended by Prime Minister James Marape, Attorney-General Pila Niningi, Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Mr O’Neill, MPs, Chief Justices of Australia and Vanuatu, and members of the Judiciary and legal fraternity, and invited guests.
Sir Bob concluded by dedicating the building to the people of Papua New Guinea. “To the people of Papua New Guinea, this building is for you. It belongs to no one man or woman. It belongs to the public. It is your right to access the courts. It is your right to expect justice, to seek redress, and to have your voice heard.”