Mobilisation has commenced for the main construction phase of the new court complex at Waigani to commence in March says Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia.
The Chief Justice gave an update on the progress of the Court complex construction which he is hoping will be completed before the APEC meet in November 2018.
Sir Salamo said he will be making a submission to the government to shorten the construction period because the government budget projection is that the complex will be completed around 2020.
“We are ready to move into construction in March and a small ground breaking will take place,” he said.
This Court complex is one of the major impact projects identified by the government that will cost K680 million.
“The first phase of the construction will involve construction of a new wing at the cost of K427 million, the balance will be for the upgrade of the existing building to bring it to standard with the new building.
“The contract for the first phase was signed last year, the government has given us the money last year’s funds have been paid,” Sir Salamo Said.
That contract was signed between National Judiciary Service Secretary Jack Kariko and China Railway Construction Contract Director Peter Lee at the Government House on July 29, 2016.
The early works has been completed and staff have been occupying the new temporary buildings.
The new court complex will house the three high courts: National court, Supreme Court and the new court of appeals.
Once completed, it will come with 14 court rooms, Judges Chambers, detainee holding cells and an administration building which will accommodate court registries and administrative functions.
(Pictured is demolition taking place on the building that was once the Alternate Dispute Resolution centre.)