Africa-Press – Liberia. The Ministry of Justice has undertaken extensive renovation work on the Gbarnga Regional Security Hub and other judicial facilities in Bong County. This effort has been commended by Judge J. Boima Kontoe, the Resident Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga.
The Gbarnga Regional Hub, along with five other Regional Justice and Security Hubs, was constructed by the Liberian government and some of its partners, and dedicated in February 2013 as part of the government’s initiative to decentralize justice and security services.
The construction of additional hubs in Zwedru (to support Grand Gedeh and Sinoe Counties), and Harper (to serve Maryland, Grand Kru, and River Gee Counties), were promised to commence the same year, with plans for four more hubs strategically positioned throughout the country. The aim of these hubs is to increase citizens’ access to justice and security services in their respective communities.
With US$13.3 million provided through the UN Peace-building Support Office for the construction of the five Hubs, the Government plans to open four additional Hubs to be positioned strategically throughout the country.
The 9th Judicial Circuit Court resident Judge, Kontoe, said the Gbarnga Regional Hub was intended to increase citizens’ access to justice and security services in communities in Bong, Lofa and Nimba Counties
However, since its dedication, the Gbarnga Regional Hub has faced some issues, prompting the ongoing renovation work that began in November of last year. The MOJ’s renovation exercise also included the refurbishment of the 9th Judicial Circuit Court, court facilities, dormitories, administrative buildings, and other key structures within the hub.
These renovations involve changing or replacing roofs, ceilings, electrical systems, repainting buildings, repairing windows and floor tiles, among other improvements.
Judge Kontoe expressed his gratitude to Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh for her commitment to modernizing judiciary facilities and enhancing the justice and security sector in Bong County.
He believes that citizens’ access to justice and security is essential to maintaining the rule of law and political stability, and decentralization of public services plays a vital role in extending state authority and empowering citizens in the governance of their country.
“Citizens’ access to justice and security lies at the heart of the rule of law and is essential to political stability. Decentralization of public services is a key to extending state authority and ensuring that citizens have a stake in the governance of their country,” Judge Kontoe noted.
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