TO safeguard the preservation of public trust and the safety of citizens, the sum of $6.8 billion has been earmarked in this year’s budget for the strengthening of the justice system.

During his presentation of the national budget, on Monday, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said that the government remains resolute in its commitment to strengthening the justice sector.

“We continue to prioritize the timely provision of justice for all Guyanese. In this regard investments in this sector have targeted the moralization legal architecture of the state, promoting better access to justice for all, constitutional and law reform,” the Minister said. 

Last year, the government allocated $6.2 billion to the sector.

This year, more money is being pumped in for the expansion and upgrading of the justice sector, which is in keeping with the People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Manifesto, which entails measures for the accountability of the criminal justice system to ensure that justice is delivered in a timely manner.

In his presentation, Dr. Singh said that advanced works are currently ongoing on Magistrate courts and living quarters in Anna Regina, Cove and John, Mabaruma, Friendship, Mahaicony, Mahaica, Madhia, Port Kaituma and Timehri. Also, an extension of the Court of Appeal building in Kingston. 

In 2023, a sum of $1.3B was spent on these facilities, and now $1.7 billion is budgeted to complete these works.  Last year, $257.4 million was set aside for restorative justice, which was ramped up to $291 million in 2024.