$178M modern Magistrates’ Court commissioned at Anna Regina

A modern magistrates’ court was today commissioned at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The project was undertaken by Sattar Mohamed and Sons Construction and Hardware Supplies Limited at a cost of $178 million, fully funded by the Government of Guyana.

With the opening of this new court, Essequibo now has a modern judicial facility, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to bring legal services closer to communities across the country.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, emphasised the PPP/C Government’s long-standing commitment to equitable development and access to justice across Guyana. He said the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court is not just a building, but a tangible representation of that promise.

At the ceremony, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards reflected on the decades-old practice of holding court hearings in inadequate spaces including the middle flat of the Anna Regina Police Station and described the new court as an advancement that will greatly improve legal service delivery in the region.

Further, Chancellor Cummings-Edwards revealed that Essequibo would soon be served by two resident judges for the criminal assizes due to the growing case load, particularly in sexual offence matters. She added that sittings at the Suddie High Court will increase from two to four days weekly.

Presiding Magistrate Tameika Clarke, who will be serving the new court, described the commissioning as a reaffirmation of the nation’s commitment to the principles of fairness, accessibility, and the rule of law.

“This new court represents a step forward, bringing justice closer to the people it serves. It stands not only as a place of judgment, but as a beacon of trust and transparency within the community,” Magistrate Clarke told the gathering.