Wike Plans Best Magistrate Courts In Nigeria

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has expressed optmism that the state government, which continues to support the development of strong democratic institutions, will have the best magistrate courts in Nigeria.

This is part of ongoing efforts by the Rivers State Government, officials in Port Harcourt say, to provide efficient judicial services. enhance the rule of law, and ease challenges that are faced by court users.

Wike, who on Thursday, inspected the extent of work being done at the premises of the magistrates’ court along Moscow Road in the Rivers capital said the project should have been completed in December.

But he explained that the delay in completing the  project was caused by some structural amendments that were introduced along the line.

The expectation of the government, the governor revealed, is that the external works would be finished by the contractor and the project handed over by the end of April.

Wike, a lawyer and life bencher, disclosed that  the interior furnishing of the new magistrate court facility has since been completed.

“This magistrates’ court will be the best in the country”, the governor acknowledged, “In fact, people call me and ask what kind of magistrates’ court we are talking about, to have this kind of structure.

He said that in response to such enquiries he has consistently maintained that “we must give the best to enhance quality of work from them.”

“If you want them to give their best, the environment where they work must also be conducive”, Wike insisted.

Turning attention to how the facility will be maintained, Wike observed that the use of alucobond panels, visible from the front view, indicates that the cost of maintenance in the short and long run would be reduced.

Noting that the State Chief Judge is in charge of the Rivers judiciary, the Rivers strongman opined that the judicial arm would have to factor into its yearly budget, money that will be required for the maintenance of the magistrate courts

“It will not require much, just that what happens here (in this country) is that most of us lack the culture of maintenance.

“Some people believe that government property is not their property and therefore they don’t care.

“But for me, wherever you stay, you must assumed that it is your property and you maintain it the way you maintain your own personal property.

“I believe that the Chief Judge will do the right thing to making sure that these structures are well maintained.

“Nobody will come here”, Wike stated, “and see such structures” only to learn in the next few years that “the structures are unkept.

“Nobody will be happy about that. I believe that the Chief Judge will do  the needful", he said.