‘A disaster waiting to happen’

DISGRACEFUL! That’s the only word to describe some of the Magistrates’ Courts in Trinidad. For too long, the authorities have neglected these courts. As the saying goes, the longest rope has an end and today we are seeing the neglect — the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court.

It had to take a protest by lawyers to open the eyes of the public that there is a serious problem with this court building. It is in such a deplorable state that all who use this building face some sort of danger at some time or the other. It is a disaster waiting to happen. Imagine, you are sitting inside the courtroom and have to duck from pigeon droppings. How awkward can that be? It has happened before when a magistrate had to flee because a prisoner threatened to throw faeces at the bench. The air-conditioning no longer works, and the roof is in a terrible state. As Chief Justice Sat Sharma said on Thursday, the judiciary has been warned that there are serious consequences if the tarpaulin on the roof of the San Fernando court building is removed. The roof is in such a deplorable state that it can cave in with the slightest touch.

But the problems at San Fernando are nothing new. The judiciary recognised the problems there since 1999, yet today nothing much has been done. In October 2001, the judiciary was given the authority for maintenance of its existing buildings and rental of temporary accommodation. Previously, this had fallen under the Attorney General. The judiciary immediately began looking for temporary accommodation for the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. The Madinah Investments building at 7 Court Street was examined by court officials and accepted only as a partial solution since this building was too small to accommodate the entire operations of the court. Another building at 1-3 Court Street was under construction and it was suggested that the judiciary secure this building as the necessary second building required for the relocation exercise.

In January 2002, the judiciary asked the Ministry of Works and Transport to assist in the redesign of the Madinah Investment building to partially accommodate the court. An architect was assigned to the project but was of the view that there was no point in proceeding with plans until the availability of the specific second building was assured. In April 2002, the judiciary was forced to begin rental payments on the Madinah Investments building since the owners were not prepared to wait indefinitely without rent and had other offers. One year later, the judiciary began rental payments to the owners of the second building. In July 2003, the judiciary approached the Ministry of Works for architectural services to redesign both buildings. But the Ministry said it could not provide architects and advised the judiciary to look for private architects.

So far, close to $1 million has been paid in rent for the two unoccupied buildings. With rent being paid on the two buildings and the judiciary unable to occupy them, maintenance work continues to be performed on the existing building. These included significant repairs to the roof; the sealing off of the roof and window openings which had allowed pigeons to enter the First Court; the installation of barriers to form queues for members of the public; construction of a washroom and change room facilities for the Court and Process Officers; repairs to the toilets servicing the cell blocks; the construction of accommodation for Judiciary security officers; the upgrade of security at the holding bays in the First and Second Courts and the air-conditioning of the entire registry. But San Fernando is not the only court building in dire need of repairs. The Chaguanas Court is nothing short of a national disgrace. In this fast-pace bustling town, Chaguanas can boast of having the most run-down magistrates’ court.

Although this courthouse is near the police station, the facilities for the public, litigants, prisoners and staff are shameful. This is a case of a disaster waiting to happen. Arima is another classic example. For years, Arima has had a sub-standard courthouse. Years ago, a state attorney fell through the flooring of the court building. The court was relocated to where it stands today. But that building is just temporary and with the number of prisoners appearing there, it was no surprise months ago that a melee broke out among the prisoners. The Chief Justice Sat Sharma announced last Thursday that the Arima problem has been solved with the acquisition of a new building for the court. But again, there is one problem — no parking. Sharma pointed out that there will have to be sacrifices and maybe the parking problem is one sacrifice which everyone will have to bear.

Siparia is another court which is not fit for human occupation. The building is old and one wonders how the magistrate Lucina Cardenas-Ragoonanan and her staff function. Rio Claro needs a new courthouse and according to the Chief Justice, this will be one court house to be upgraded. This court services a large section of the community in south east of the island. The other courts seem to be functioning well. The new wing of the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court has overcome its problems. But the Family Court at NIPDEC House may have to wait a bit longer. The roof of this building is leaking and attempts are being made right now to plug the leak. Tenders are out for the redesign of the building to suit the country’s newest court — the Family Court.