The Ministry of Justice continues its efforts to improve the Justice System with an acquisition of twelve new vehicles for judges, as well as the acquisition of photocopiers and air conditioning units. This was disclosed by the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Carol Palmer, at the Ministry’s Sensitization Session on September 29, 2016 held at the Justice complex in Kingston.
According to a release from the ministry, just under one hundred million dollars ($100-M) was spent to acquire the 12 new vehicles for the island’s judges. One additional vehicle for a judge and three fleet of utility vehicles are also being purchased to bring the total expenditure on vehicles to $137 million dollars.
Mrs. Palmer further announced that fourteen photocopiers are being delivered to courts across Jamaica, courtesy of the United States Embassy. This is to assist the Ministry of Justice in its commitment to improve the working conditions in the courts and of the judiciary.
Additionally, she revealed that the air conditioning units are being sourced for the courts and urged that, “We cannot continue with a culture of non-maintenance.” She implored that the care of the units is key for durability.
At the sensitization session, David Osborne, Department for International Development (DFID) Country Representative to Jamaica, expressed his delight that the United Kingdom, together with Canada and the Inter-American Development Bank, were partners supporting the Government of Jamaica’s Citizen Security and Justice Programme.