KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Government is looking to the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) for the construction of four new courthouses in St Elizabeth, St Ann, Westmoreland and Trelawny.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck said the Administration kick-started the planning process for the construction during the last fiscal year. He was speaking recently during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

“It is the intention of the Government that these four new courts will be part of the priority projects to be facilitated by NaRRA,” Chuck said.

“We hope that these four courts will serve for the next 100 years as modern, iconic state-of-the-art facilities, providing the full range of services expected from a contemporary court,” he added.

“We also anticipate that early in the next fiscal year, the new St Thomas Parish Court will be operationalised as we strive to fulfil our mandate for a stronger justice system,” Chuck told Parliament.

He also shared that the Administration is seeking to galvanise public-private partnerships to build new court infrastructure in Manchester, St Catherine, and the Supreme Court.

The justice minister noted that the courts in Clarendon and Linstead, St Catherine have already been upgraded and locations are being explored in St James while the Hanover and Portland courts are to be upgraded to first-class standards.

Chuck said the many outstations in need of rehabilitation are a cause for concern, and are being addressed, particularly those sharing space with police stations.

“As we speak, work is underway to complete renovation and rehabilitation works at the Hanover Family Court, the Supreme Court, the Kingston and St Andrew Traffic Court at Melbourne Road and the St Elizabeth Parish Court in Santa Cruz,” he said.