Challenges at St Matthias facility to be addressed

Environmental issues at the St. Matthias Magistrates’ Court Complex got the attention of the Attorney General and the country’s chief judicial officer on Monday.

At the end of a tour of the Christ Church facility, Government agreed to have the issues rectified.

Attorney General Dale Marshall gave this assurance on Monday after touring the facility with Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham, Deputy Permanent Secretary Anthony Wiltshire, Acting Registrar Sharon Deane, a team from the Office of Attorney General and Industrial Hygienist at Environmental Comfort and Safety Solutions Ltd., Ian Weekes.

Marshall said he and his team had received complaints from staff about pressing environmental challenges at the facility.

“We have come to see it for ourselves. I am satisfied that there are a number of things that can be resolved in the very, very short term. There are some things that will take a little bit longer, but I’m confident that we can resolve the issues that have been raised to the satisfaction of the staff. “But of course, this is a public facility, so any issue that affects the staff here will also have the potential to affect the public, and therefore, that is another obligation that we have to satisfy,” the Attorney General stated.

Marshall stressed that Government would do its part, as he and his officials want the staff to work in “comfortable and healthy surroundings”. He gave the assurance that he would be giving “100 per cent energy” to correct any issues. 

However, he said the cooperation of staff would be required. He observed that while the air conditioning units were in use, some louvres were opened, something which the experts advise should not happen. 

Sir Patterson stressed the importance of a healthy environment and noted that he and Attorney General Marshall had cleared their agenda this morning to extensively tour the locations, which included the Oistins Magistrates’ Court Complex.

“Staff must see us. We must get their account. I don’t want anything that is filtered or massaged, just their true account of the state of affairs so that the remedial action that can be taken is appropriate.

“And appropriate remedial action in this context means anything that enhances the work environment for them, and that is what we are committed to,” the Chief Justice stated. 

Weekes noted that it was always necessary to have regular, detailed cleaning throughout the building. He explained that there was a need for the harmonisation of chemicals between the janitorial staff and contract cleaners, to avoid noxious odours.