Govt slammed for relocation delay

A newspaper advertisement yesterday put out by the Judiciary concerning the wait for Government’s funds to customise the two buildings evoked strong criticism from the Law Association of TT (LATT) and TT Association of Magistrates (TTAM).

"Somebody should be called upon to account," LATT vice president Hendrickson Suenath SC said, "for the monies spent renting these two buildings since 2003."

According to the Judiciary’s court executive administrator, Richard Kelly, the judiciary had secured rental of two buildings — Sumadh Building and Madinah Investments Ltd Building at a combined cost of $89,867.90. Rental of both buildings began in March 2003.

The advertisement stated that the Judiciary was awaiting Cabinet’s approval to expend funds for customisation of the buildings to house the courts.

The buildings, located at the back of the existing dilapidated Magistrates’ Courthouse, are required to be modified to accommodate prisoners’ holding bay cells, docks, witness boxes, magistrates’ chambers and administration offices.

One of the buildings is owned by an attorney, while the other was recently acquired by the Eastern Credit Union.

Calling it "an untenable situation," acting senior Magistrate Ramraj Harripersad (president of TTAM), said that almost $2.2 million had been paid out in rent to the buildings’ owners. "And I, together with other magistrates and staff, am sweating in heat in offices infested with rats and vermin," Harripersad said.

Seunath said he met with stakeholders involved in making provisions for the new courthouse on Monday, but lamented that three years were too long a wait for the Judiciary.

"I’m saying it’s totally unacceptable. Whether it is Cabinet, the Ministry of Works, Finance, whatever. This wanton waste must stop."

In reference to the $2.5 million spent for the recent opening of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Seunath noted that courts in the local jurisdiction must be fixed first. "While we cannot question the Prime Minister, the Attorney General and the Minister of Finance, I’m saying that this cannot go on. I’m saying this wastage must stop. Somebody should be made to account."

Harripersad said someone needs to explain why the authorities rent buildings, then realise they need to be customised. "Imagine for more than two years you’re renting two buildings for nothing. In another country, heads would roll," Harripersad said.