$178 million Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court commissioned

Jul 03, 2025 News

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-Essequibo to get two judges by October

Kaieteur News- A spanking new magistrate’s court with a cost of $178 million was commissioned at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, on Wednesday, paving the way for the court to be housed in its own building.

The commissioning ceremony was held in the court’s compound, opposite the new regional police headquarters in Anna Regina. In an entertaining, yet informative programme chaired by Justice of Appeal Navindra Singh, patrons were treated to poetry, song, dance and a history lesson by the chair himself.

In her opening remarks, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George expressed her joy at being back in Essequibo, or as it is referred to ‘the Cinderella County’, to witness another momentous occasion under the judiciary’s “National Access to Justice Project”.

She said that over the past few years, she has observed tremendous growth in Essequibo and with the opening of the Children’s Court in Charity, just two weeks ago, the county is no longer the Cinderella County, but now “wears both shoes and is running proudly ahead in its development, particularly here in Region Two, as you will no doubt hear more about later.”

Justice George extended her deepest gratitude to the Guyana Police Force, which was described as one of the judiciary’s most valued justice sector partners, for their accommodation of the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court over the years.

“The honourable chancellor has championed the goal of improving infrastructure to better serve magistrates, court staff, and, most importantly, the public. Today’s opening is another step forward in achieving that vision,” she added.

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings Edwards, in her remarks, said that the establishment of the court gives the judiciary an opportunity to bring access to justice closer to residents, giving them spaces to have their voices heard, and their disputes resolved in a modern court.

She stressed that while the schools, the Guyana Police Force, post offices and other government agencies had a dedicated place of their own to call home, this was not the case with the magistrate’s court.

The court was housed on the middle floor of the police station, but at the time, the main concern was for disputes to be resolved to foster a modern livable and peaceful society. Even though the conditions were not always adequate, they were comfortable and the Force exhibited patience, which she thanked them for.

“Our system, our court, is an institution that would advance legal growth, uphold the rule of law and stability in our society, it must make strides and embrace economic progress, and that is what this building is all about. The intended use of this, as I said, is to dispense justice, and it would make a positive impact in this community of Anna Regina and all the surrounding communities,” she said.

The chancellor informed the audience that there could be an extension in the number of days the Suddie Magistrate’s Court operates. This means that the Judicial Service Commission will now have to look at additional magistrates to be able to satisfy the legal needs of the community.

“Essequibo will also be blessed with two judges in the criminal assizes come the October session. Our criminal list is growing. I served many years as a prosecutor here in Essequibo before many judges, and at that time, one judge and one prosecutor were sufficient to cover the list of cases, but list is growing,” she revealed.

Another reason there is need for the addition is that the sexual offences list is high and there is a need for the additional personnel.

The facility houses spaces for remote hearings, domestic violence hearing rooms, facilities to accommodate children coming to court in cases where their parents may have business to conduct and bring them along.

There is also a technological smart courtroom, where the registry and filing facilities are modern, making things easier for staff.

“This is a society that we serve, and we must be accountable and transparent, and so we must tell you the cost of this facility, and I thank our permanent secretary of finance, who has been able to keep track of all our accounting processes and to let us know the step by step, how the monies allocated to us from central government was spent…dispersed to the contractor who executed the work on this building,” she added.

The contract was awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to Satar Mohammed of Satar Mohammed and Sons Construction and Hardware Supplies Limited, at a cost of $179,638,476. There was also a design and engineering and supervision cost that amounted to $7,500,000.

“We dedicate it to you. Please use it. Please carry it, and please keep this beautiful county safe- and secure place- one where we will enjoy its beauty. We will come as officers of the court. We will also come as tourists. We will also come as fellow citizens to share in this beautiful building and share this beautiful community with you. I thank you so very much for being here with us and for the courtesy of listening. May God bless us all,” the chancellor concluded.

Also present at the commissioning ceremony was Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, who in his remarks said that successive governments of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) have always ensured that in their developmental plans and programmes, there was always an equitable distribution of resources, even though they did not have the amount then as they do now.

“Access to justice is as important as any other right or any other entitlement of the human being. Without justice, without law, without order, nothing is possible. It is the rule of law that keeps us in a civilised society, none of the development that is taking place across the country can take place without the rule of law being in place, and our government recognises that.”

The AG told the audience that if they compare the newly commissioned court with the ones in other parts of the country like Port Kaituma and Georgetown, the differences are marginal, as they are all equipped with modern facilities.

“The construction of this new and modern edifice to house the magistrate’s court is not only a tangible expression of the government’s commitment to ensure access to justice reaches every crease and crevice of our country, but is also a vital component of the government’s broader infrastructural development agenda designed to cradle the rapid, unprecedented economic and social transformation currently unfolding. The government recognises that building out necessary physical infrastructure is an essential prerequisite to support, sustain and safeguard the exponential economic growth and associated externalities,” he added.

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• Anna Regina, Chancellor, court, Essequibo, Nandlall

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