MONTEGO BAY, St James — Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has expressed disappointment over the failure of the g overnment to deliver on its promise to construct the much-needed western justice complex in St James.

“May I just say that I am extremely disappointed and frustrated that halfway in this fiscal year, I cannot give a positive note about the justice complex, that is [the construction of] new courts in at least two areas that we had hoped for — Mandeville and St James,” expressed Chuck.

Chuck in February 2017 had disclosed that efforts were being made to secure lands in the Bogue area of St James for the construction of a Western Justice Complex, aimed at improving the justice system in the parish.

Since the disclosure more than two years ago, two properties including one on Lower Bevin Ave, Montego Bay, which houses the commercial operations of the National Water Commission’s St James branch, have been looked at.

In July, Chuck told the Observer West that he was hoping to have construction work on the long-awaited Western Justice Complex in St James commence by the end of March next year.

However, the minister told members of the media recently that apart from the Finance Ministry taking back funds earmarked for the project due to delay in starting the complex, the justice Ministry is unable to find suitable lands.

“That has not stopped us, however, from looking. And, in St James, I am sorry to report, but we have not been able to find an appropriate property to build that St James parish court or regional complex,” the minister stated.

“We had started to look at the National Water Commission land, but the truth of it is, we did the geotechnical work which cost quite a few million dollars and what they reported is that it is waterlogged and is not appropriate to build there. So, we started to look again [elsewhere],” added Chuck.

The minister said, several other lands — some of which were not appropriate — were looked at, adding that in some cases, the private sector was asking too much.

“I remember we saw four acres where they were asking US$2-million per acre which is $8 million [total]. That is just out of the contention.”

For some time now, the Cornwall Bar Association (CBA) has been advocating for a new courthouse due to inadequate courtroom space and insufficient parking space at its present location on Megre Bay Road in Montego Bay, which is also prone to flooding.

President of the association, Lambert Johnson last week expressed disappointment over the inability of the Government to secure suitable space for the Western Justice Centre.

“So, at this stage, we really don’t have a fixed time or place for the justice complex. But, because justice is so important to the fabric of the society, it is imperative that the government do all that they need to ensure that we have such a facility in western Jamaica,” Johnson argued.

And arguing that “justice is priceless” Johnson said the amount of US$8million being asked for a particular land is a drop in the bucket.

“Justice is priceless. Eight million, if that is what it takes, that is what it takes because the benefits will resonate throughout the society because matters will be disposed of quickly in more comfortable surroundings. So, if it is 8 million based on the impact that you can have, I think that it is just peanuts compared to justice, which is priceless,” argued Johnson.