The "Simo Milošević" institute from Igalo owes almost a million euros for electricity, which makes the direct loan from Elektroprivreda (EPCG) problematic, which is why they proposed that the loan be realized indirectly through the state treasury, the state energy company told "News" yesterday.
In mid-August, the EPCG Board of Directors approved a loan of EUR 600 to the Health Insurance Fund, in order to transfer the money to the Institute with a state guarantee. Elektroprivreda announced that they are showing their willingness and social responsibility to solve the problems of the Institute, but with clear state guarantees.
Minister of Finance Aleksandar Damjanović previously said that the company is free to pay the money they promised to the Institute, but that the state cannot participate due to legal restrictions.
"EPCG is in constant contact with the management of the Dr. Simo Milošević Institute. During the previous three years, we have repeatedly signed the Agreement on the fulfillment of obligations based on the debt for consumed electricity in installments, specifically: 16.09.2021; 26.05.2022. and 08.05.2023. years. Considering the general situation in the Institute, EPCG showed patience and understanding for the problems the Institute is facing. We received a promise from the Institute's management that the last in a series of debt repayment agreements will be respected. Amount owed on 31.07.2023. is EUR 946.608,37 and the last invoice of the "Simo Milošević" Institute is EUR 65.423,83, which means that the current debt of the Institute for used electricity is EUR 913.471,96, which is certainly one of the reasons why we are questioning the direct loan. Due to all of the above, EPCG expresses its will and social responsibility to solve the problems at the Institute, but with clear state guarantees", emphasized EPCG.
Two days ago, Damjanović made an appeal to EPCG to pay the money directly to the Institute two days ago in "Morning Colors" TV "Vijesti" and emphasized that there are no legal obstacles for that move and that there is no need for the Government and that department to interfere in the process as guarantors.
"We can't do that because we don't have a guaranteed guarantee in the budget, and people from EPCG know that very well. If the state wants to guarantee one euro or one cent, it must provide it in the annual budget. Here, the Government and the Ministry of Finance are not needed nor can they legally guarantee, it is enough just to fulfill the promise of EPCG and to pay the 600 thousand euro loan already tomorrow", said Damjanović at the time.
He stated that the obligation of the Institute after the signing of the protocol between Montenegro and Serbia will be around 5,3 million euros, and that the state will settle the debt and credit the Institute with that money. He added that they are currently doing everything they can, but that the problems of this health institution are decades old.
The President of the Institute's Trade Union, Marija Obradović, told "Vijesta" that she will hold a protest in front of the Government building today. As a warning sign, the workers have blocked the border crossings with Croatia several times so far, in order to show that this health institution must be preserved.
"All caring people can donate money to the Institute"
The municipalities, local administrations and cities of Montenegro are free to donate money from the budget to the Igalo Institute in the amount they think is relevant, Prime Minister Dritan Abazović said at the last session of the Government. He also pointed out that EPCG is free to pay money to the Institute and to show solidarity as another state-owned company, and that they do not need a special guarantee from the Government.
"If there are other spiritual care providers and they also have their own budgets, I mean local governments, the tourist season has passed and I think they have filled their budgets, they are free to redirect the funds to the Igalo Institute," emphasized Abazović.
He repeated that in principle they support the help to the Institute, but the management of that institution sometimes does not appreciate the help that the Government continuously provides and that the workers should look for the culprits for the problems in their own house.
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