Orealla, Siparuta to get improved access to justice through virtual court system

…as Govt commits to addressing legal aid issues in Reg 6

The Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Amerindian villages of Orealla and Siparuta are poised to get improved access to justice with the establishment of a virtual court system. This was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday following an outreach to the region to address concerns raised by citizens.

““The residents of Orealla and Siparuta would have raised the need for a Magistrate court as they have to travel all the way to Skeldon to have their matters addressed,” President Ali highlighted during a press conference at the conclusion of his visit to Berbice. “So, we’re going to utilise technology, and with the aid of the containerised offices, establish a footprint for the people in Siparuta and Orealla to have access from one of those communities to the Magistrate court,” he said.
The new arrangement is expected to reduce waiting times for legal matters to be heard, lower transportation costs and strengthen access to justice for hundreds of residents. Earlier this year, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall had promised, “to Orealla-Siparuta, we are promising here today that you will get a court, as you requested of me when I visited. The President has already instructed that we begin working on the establishment of a court there.”
Nestled along the Corentyne River, the twin Indigenous communities of Orealla and Siparuta have been experiencing rapid development in recent years. Construction is currently underway on a brand-new secondary school. Currently, secondary-aged students from Orealla and Siparuta must travel out to the coast to pursue their education, a challenge that places financial and emotional strain on families. The new school will allow students to study while remaining at home, easing that burden and fostering local academic growth. Progress has also been made on public safety infrastructure, with a new police station nearing completion.
Adjacent to the station is a newly constructed wharf, strategically positioned to facilitate border patrols and riverine security. In Siparuta, a separate wharf has also been built to support the health centre, along with a new access road connecting the facility more efficiently to the community. In Siparuta, a new building and extension at the primary school is being constructed to accommodate rising student numbers, alongside a modern kitchen to support daily meal preparation.
The combined population of Orealla and Siparuta is over 2,000 people. Orealla has a population of approximately 1,200, while its sister village, Siparuta, has a population of around 500-450 residents.

Legal Aid
Meanwhile, during his outreach to Region Six, President Ali said he was informed that the legal aid services in the region are not functioning effectively and efficiently and as such, he has ordered that this be corrected.
“We’re very concerned about these complaints…it’s important to note that legal aid allows citizens equity to justice and equity to representation,” the Head of State expressed. In this regard, he committed to working on a specific programme to expand legal aid throughout the region.
“…and put in place a level of supervision by the Government that will allow us to track and be on top of these issues in relation to legal aid,” he noted.