Pt Fortin Magistrates’ Courts back to normal

The Point Fortin Magistrates’ Courts will resume normal operations today, according to a statement from the judiciary yesterday. The reopening of the courthouse follows work over the Easter weekend by the Judiciary’s building, plant and equipment unit and maintenance service providers, MTS, to rid the premises of a pungent scent which forced the suspension of business at the courts last Thursday. The problem, according to the judiciary, was caused by stagnant water that had gathered in the basement from an underground run-off from the nearby Point Fortin Police Station. The pungent scent adversely affected the air quality and created discomfort for judiciary staff and other stakeholders using the building. Remedial action, which began on Friday, included clearing the water and fumigating the building. 

“The judiciary will continue with further work during this week to minimise as far as possible any recurrence of the problems that occurred last Thursday,” according to the statement. This will include the installation of an extraction system in the basement, and repairs to the septic tank on the premises in collaboration with WASA and the Point Fortin Borough Corporation. “The judiciary wishes to express its thanks to its staff, stakeholders, maintenance crews  and the general public for their understanding and co-operation and to apologise for any inconvenience as a result of the disruption,” the statement said.