MONTHS after the completion of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at Main and King Streets in New Amsterdam, Berbicians are awaiting the historical opening of this facility which is expected to boost the administration of justice system.The building, renovated at a cost of more than $20M, was expected to be handed over to the DPP since last November but to date the two-storeyed concrete structure is yet to be occupied.
In an invited comment on October 18, 2013, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall told this reporter that the Ministry of Legal Affairs was in the process of acquiring furniture and furnishings for the building which is expected to accommodate several offices of the DPP. In addition, it caters for living quarters and space for the Land Registry.
However, while Berbicians are pleased to have the building completed, they are eagerly awaiting the opening. In the meantime, police officers continue to travel to Georgetown to seek advice in criminal cases and this result in constant adjournments of hearings in the Magistrates’ Courts. Moreover, the almost daily travelling to Georgetown is an additional financial burden on the State, but this will be reduced significantly when there is a functional DPP office in the Ancient County.
According to Minister Nandlall, with the opening of the first DPP Office outside of Georgetown, the police in Berbice will have easy access and can be advised in a timely manner with respect to their investigations.
The DPP office will allow Berbicians who are of the opinion that they are detained unlawfully to file Habeas Corpus proceedings in the Berbice High Court and serve it right here on the DPP. Before, they had to go to Georgetown to serve the matter, and that used to defeat the whole purpose, because Habeas Corpus proceedings are predicated upon an alleged unlawful imprisonment and if you don’t get redress in time, a person might have unlawfully been incarcerated for two to three days. Also, bail petitions can be filed and responses can be given here in Berbice and during the criminal trials, the lawyers would have living quarters as well as office facilities to which they can retire during the course of the respective trials, Minister Nandlall noted.