The return of National Court circuit hearings in Namatanai District of New Ireland province, has been welcomed and fully supported by the New Ireland Provincial government.
President for Namatanai Local Level Government (LLG), and Provincial Executive Council Chairman for Works, Transport, Mining, Oil, Gas, and Primary Industry Mr. Elias Towarkia, announced this on behalf of the provincial government and Governor Byron Chan during the announcement of the revival of National Court Circuits recently.
In welcoming Justice Panuel Mogish, President Towarkia said the New Ireland Provincial government supports the revival to progress further.
“Namatanai welcomes back national court circuits after seven years absence from the district,” President Towarkia said.
He stated that it has been a long time coming for this important judicial approach; however, despite the setbacks, it is now more important to partner and propel the rendering of judicial services and its implementation at this level in the province.
“On behalf of the people of Namatanai and New Ireland, I call on the judiciary services to continue from here on with the backing of Justice Mogish, being a local to climb the ranks and file and get to the top to maintain this crucial government arm.”
Meanwhile, President Towarkia challenged the younger generation to pursue taking up law studies and bringing the service closer to the people.
“I challenge our young people especially those who are studying and those who are already in Judiciary to be determined and rise to greater heights in this field.”
“I want to see more New Irelanders excel in all education and in ranks and files and various fields they are serving in, in Papua New Guinea.”
In response to this, Justice Mogish stressed the importance of having the courts closer to people as it is a human right.
He said safety is not guaranteed for people traveling along the Boluminski Highway for four to five hours down to Kavieng to access judiciary and magisterial services and is also costly to access these services from Kavieng.
He said back in the colonial days, Namatanai was one of few first districts in PNG who had its own Correctional Services and as a proud son of Namatanai, he hopes to see Namatanai return again to where it used to be with a CS reestablishment.
“Having a CS in Namatanai brings detainees, parents and guardians closer to them for visitation purposes. Many detainees escape the Kavieng CS because they are far from home,” said Justice Mogish.
He indicated that justice must prevail and those who break the rule of law must face the consequences.
Construction work has begun starting with a modern courthouse facility in Namatanai and is expected to be completed in a year or so.
