Deal sealed for construction of integrated justice centre in Pemba

ZANZIBAR: THE Judiciary of Tanzania has signed an agreement with the Deep Construction Limited Company for the construction of an integrated justice centre in Pemba.

Zanzibar Chief Justice Khamis Ramadhan Abdalla praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for initiating the improvement of criminal justice in the country.

Speaking during the signing of the documents for the construction at the Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA) building, Gombani Chakechake, the Chief Justice said it was a historic event which further cements Zanzibar/Tanzania mainland relations.

He particularly praised the President Samia and Zanzibar’s Dr Hussein Mwinyi for leading Tanzanians well and maintaining the Union of the two sides.

“Usually, judges from the Court of Appeal come to Zanzibar for proceedings in the courts, but the working environment has not been good.

Now with this construction of the new building, will improve the environment for the residents and visiting judges,” he said.

He said that the integrated justice centre in Pemba is implemented at the right time when the Zanzibar judiciary system is undergoing major reforms that include construction of a new regional Court building in North Pemba in Konde, and District Courts in other areas.

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He said having modern court buildings goes hand-inhand with digitalising proceedings in court by use of technology and a recording system, which will improve the performance of the judges and magistrates.

The Chief Court Administrator, Professor Elisante Ole Gabriel said that construction of centre in Pemba will cost more than 9.8bn/-.

However, he said if their request for tax waiver is accepted, it will cost about 7.8bn/-/.

“This work should be done in nine months and should be completed by February 23, 2025. We believe that the contractor will not have any excuse and it will be completed in time, while observing value for money and standard,” he said.

Mr Kai Bashiru Mbarouk – Chief Court Administrator of Zanzibar said that fortunately both Zanzibar and Union governments have shown commitment in improving the judiciary system for effective justice delivery.

“This has also been driving Courts of Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland to strengthen cooperation in different areas including capacity building, ongoing shift to electronic systems in managing proceedings, and sharing experience,” Mr Mbarouk said.

The Chief Registrar of the Judiciary of Tanzania Eva Nkeya said, the centre will have courts of different levels, where the appeal court will be able to come and hold its sessions in Pemba Island.

“This will help the people of Pemba Island in reducing the costs of seeking judiciary services far away from their place or waiting for long. As executives we promise to see that all the planned work is implemented in time,” she said.

The new justice centre on the plot measuring about 3,782 square metres, is fourstorey building, a generator room, a restaurant and offices for staff.

The CEO of Deep Construction Limited of Morogoro, Rabinder Singh Jabbal promised that the project would be completed in time.