CHIEF Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer yesterday reminded the people of Malaita and the nation that this country will tumble if its law and justice system is slack.
He was speaking at the opening of the Malaita province’s new court house in Auki yesterday.
The new court house is a joint project by the Solomon Islands government and RAMSI through its Law and Justice system.
It costs about $8million to build.
He said the country can have quality leaders but if the rule of law is poor, it can crippled the nation
“You can have the best leaders and Government in power but if the rule of law and justice are weakened, the nation will crumble,” Sir Albert said.
“We have seen for ourselves what the breakdown in the rule of law can do to a nation.
“The whole system of government falls down, why, because it is a foundational pillar in nation building,” he said.
Sir Albert added the court house has a significance for the country because it is the face of the justice.
“This is the place where the rich and the poor, the weak and the strong, the offender and victim, the citizens of this country can come to have their grievances and disputes in law, heard on a level playing field by an impartial, independent and objective adjudicator.
“This is where the battle for justice, for legal rights, for the truth and the culpability of a crime can be determined without having to resort to violence or the use of force,” he said.
The Chief Justice also admitted that the construction of the building has gone through its fair share of negative criticism.
“That is normal, but let us not forget and thereby overlook the fact, that in any nation, whether it is a communist nation, a republic or a monarchy, the administration of the rule of law and justice is a critical foundational pillar in the existence, growth and development of that nation,” he said
He said the justice system have an obligation to ensure that all who come through the doors of this court will have their disputes adjudicated upon in an impartial, fair and just manner.
“The onus is now on the Magistrates’ Court to deliver the goods, the justice that the people of Malaita deserves; justice that is efficient, effective, timely and just.
“This is the other side of the coin in the administration of justice; that those who implement it, are not only competent, qualified, and impartial but also dedicated and committed to the tasks and responsibilities at hand,” he said.
He said the court house is but the first steps towards achieving that goal of making justice accessible to our people.
“We have just begun, and these are but the first steps in our long journey.
“With the support of the National government, Provincial Governments, Chiefs and Community Leaders, RAMSI and other aid Donors and our People and with God’s help we will get there,” he said.
He also thanked RAMSI for their support towards the project.
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