K12 million state-of-the-art courthouse project for Daru set to commence

Western Province is set to have a modern courthouse in Daru, thanks to the partnership between National Judiciary Services and the Western Provincial Administration.

Efforts are currently underway to clear the land for the upcoming construction, pending launch by Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika.

NBC News visited the construction site and witnessed a local contractor actively engaged in tree removal and ground leveling at Daru’s Doctor point.

The building of the new state-of-the-art courthouse that will cost about K12 million, is currently in the preliminary stages, involving land clearance and site preparation, which started two weeks ago.

Western Governor Taboi Awi Yoto told NBC News they are just waiting for Salika to set the date for the official launch, that would see groundbreaking ceremony to signal the start of construction for the facility in Daru.

“Daru is not a temporary bush. We have to take the lead and start building permanent structures with designs that will give our town a unique look of its own compared to the other existing towns in PNG,” he said.
The construction of the new court house in the provincial capital, is a significant project that will host a self-contained accommodation unit for visiting judges, court rooms for the National and the Supreme Court hearings, and office spaces for judges.

This project is expected to be launched as part of the opening of the legal year for 2025, with the Chief Judge of Papua New Guinea to officiate the event.

The funding source for this project is from the Fly River Provincial Government internal revenue and Law & Order component of PSIP.

Yoto said that with modern facilities designed specifically for judicial functions, there is potential for increased efficiency in handling cases as this could result in shorter wait times for hearings and quicker resolutions to legal disputes.

He emphasized that by having a dedicated facility in Daru, residents of South Fly will have improved access to judicial services.

"This accessibility can lead to higher rates of legal compliance and greater public trust in the justice system.
"The new courthouse will support local governance by ensuring that laws are upheld and justice is served fairly," he said.