KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Discussions are in progress for the development of 40 acres of land for a Regional Court Complex in Manchester, says Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck.

Chuck, who was addressing a justice sensitisation session in Mandeville, on November 25, said the ministry has initiated talks with a developer for the complex, and he is inviting other people to invest in the project.

The minister said Mandeville is in need of more courts, and development of the property at Kingsland, located near the town centre and owned by the ministry, will allow for more space and solve most of the problems being encountered.

“We want to remove most of the activities out of the building (being used currently), and put in additional buildings,” he told the forum, held at the Ridgemount United Church.

The minister pointed out that of the 40 acres of land, he would like to see between three and five acres with court buildings, and the rest developed for other businesses.

Chuck said he is inviting investors to make proposals to the ministry, so that the project can move ahead.

“That centre could be the mid-island court complex, to deal with circuit cases, family court, drug court, and municipal court. My vision for the future is to see that happen, and it will happen,” the minister said.

He told the gathering that investments being made in the justice system, totalling some $7 billion, will ensure that more court spaces are created, and cases are concluded more speedily.

The minister argued that criminals will soon realise that long delays for them to serve time for their acts will become a thing of the past.  This he added will be a deterrent to their activities and Jamaica will experience less crime.