THE introduction of Justice of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths of Affidavits (JP&COA) has been respected and welcomed by ordinary citizens everywhere in the country. The stamp and signature of the holder of this honourable office is accepted as legal and respected even by the Magistrate’s Court.
While this is so, the system has not been properly structured. Existing, but not organised. No system was in place for coordination and analysis of the system to ensure that the intervention necessary in the interest of the ordinary citizens of society was appropriately approached.
In recent times, some of the respected citizens who are holders of this very important office decided to form an association.  The whole aim was to have a structured system. Mr. Hermon Bholaisingh, JP&COA and a Marriage Officer was elected President of the association.
Mr. Bholaisingh surfaced as a very concerned individual and with the support of registered members of the association; a properly guided approach to assist citizens was introduced. As President of the association he has made a number of press releases which indicated to the general public that the JP&COA forum was very much existing and functioning.
The public is fully aware that there have been scattered incidences of unwelcome practices of a few who hold this very important office which was much embarrassing. However, as President of the association, Mr. Bholaisingh has not been silent. He faced it with a very strong rebuke and gave justice where justice was due.
Mr. Bholaisingh made a lot of sacrifices. He made sure that he found time and resources to have things done. He actually neglected his own business to accomplish tasks. He saw the need to help the blind and organised the Institute for the Blind. He appealed for help towards the setting up of the institute, but was a voice in the wilderness. Perhaps much has not been heard about this most needed intervention for the unfortunate. I personally visited with Mr. Bholaisingh on more than one occasion and was very much impressed with the level of concern this individual has towards his fellow man. I attended a Christmas party at the Institute where we sang hymns and shared encouragement from the Word of God and food.
The re-organisation of the JP&COA forum and now as an association is guided by a constitution formed by the body itself under the leadership of Mr. Hermon Bholaisingh.
The association has agreed on guided mandates and holds monthly statutory meetings which are held in the second Saturday of each month.
As a result of respecting and appreciating the honourable work and leadership of Mr. Hermon Bholaisingh, the Guyana Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths of Affidavits Association has re-elected him as President for 2010.
I wish to congratulate Mr. Bholaisingh for the re-election and for a job well done. He has caused the revival of JP&COA forum in Guyana. I wish him well as he continues to take on the mantle of leadership of the association and to ensure that justice to the ordinary citizens of the nation are delivered guided by legal procedures.