The Judiciary has bigger plans for the National and District Court services in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, but needs land.
Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia said they have had several discussions with the provincial administration but when those discussions will materialise is unclear.
The National and District Court service facility for Eastern Highlands Province is currently compact in a small piece of land in Goroka Town.
The National Court facility was recently upgraded and opened.
The District Court facility, on the other hand, needs to be completely broken down and reconstructed.
Sir Salamao said the building is from the colonial era and is a safety hazard.
“The National Court facility has been upgraded but the District Court facility, which is situated in the same location, is still operating in a colonial building that I’ve described it as a fire hazard, which needs to be pulled down,” he stated.
“We cannot renovate because the building is very old, built in the pre independence time.”
The Judiciary has therefore committed K1.5 million to build a new District Court.
“We are now working on the design works and hopefully we should process the tender in the coming months to be able to build a modern court building for the District Court in Goroka.”
The Court Facilities in Goroka can accommodate for only two National Court judges.
Plans are in place to increase the number of judges to three or four.
Chief Justice Sir Salamo said for this to happen, the Court facility needs to be expanded, but that will require a much bigger land.
“We are speaking with the Provincial Administrator and the Provincial Government to find a suitable land in the heart of Goroka Town to build the new court complex, a sub-regional court complex for Eastern Highlands.
“We have been in dialogue with the Provincial Administrator for some time. As to when those discussions will materialise, I cannot say.
“We’re hoping those will materialise in the next few years.”