Wasting resources and smiling for the camera

Mar 09, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,

I have noted the recent statements in the press by the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice Roxane George, that backlog cases in the Courts have been reduced. I wish to commend them for that. However, due consideration should also be given to other factors.

The irony of the situation is that the Chancellor has been hosting and scheduling conferences intended for the improvement of the delivery of justice in the Court of Appeal, High Court and Magistrates Court, but has been conducting such conferences on the very days when such justice should be delivered.

All of the Judges and Magistrates attend such conferences and the Courts are at a virtual standstill on weekdays when these conferences are hosted and while persons await the hearing of their matters filed several years previously.

Similarly, there was the recent opening of new judicial quarters in the Essequibo district which was again scheduled for a working day. ALL of the judges and magistrates were present to witness the mere ceremonial cutting of a ribbon. This was undoubtedly a publicity photo taking exercise.

The question to be considered is, having regard to the fact that this facility had been completed much earlier, why were scarce judicial funds yet being used to pay rental to a private citizen to accommodate the judicial officers and magistrates assigned to that district. It is a lamentable situation in view of the fact that there was a spanking new unoccupied facility.

The abuse of the limited resources available for the dispensation of court matters affecting members of the public is even more evident at the recent opening of a Magisterial Court in the remote Lethem area. All of the Judges, Magistrates and judicial staffers were present at the opening at which really the Chancellor and Chief Justice should have attended.

Instead, limited resources were used to fly several plane loads of judges, magistrates, lawyers and Court registry staffers totaling over 40 persons to Lethem and paying for accommodation for these persons for a duration of two days.

These “joy rides” and excursions being organised by top members of the Judiciary are shocking. There is a reckless abuse of scarce resources being applied towards travel and accommodation for judges and magistrates to travel to countries such as Curacao and Tanzania for conferences, while the reality is that the Supreme Court remains in a deplorable state of disrepair accompanied by the persistent stench of sewage.

In addition to the physical state of the Supreme Court, the immediate environs remain a cause of concern. There is an existing taxi park behind the Chambers of the Chief Justice and total lawlessness prevails with minibuses continuing to traverse the area accompanied by the cacophony of blaring horns. The Supreme Court should be revered, hallowed halls of justice operating in a silent zone.

Alas, those tasked with the administration of justice continue to smile for the cameras at those ribbon cutting exercises.

Yours faithfully,

Stephanie Isaacs

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News