Despite announcements about improving the tourist offer, Sutomore is still characterized by the same perennial problems that significantly reduce the quality of life of the local population and affect the overall poor tourist impression, said Valentina Minić, a member of the Democratic Party of Bar Municipal Assembly.
"The current situation clearly illustrates the systemic negligence of local government, which is reflected in the dug-up streets that have been left unfinished for months, improvised garbage dumps sprouting like mushrooms, part of the square floods after every heavy rain, scenes of wild and domestic animals have been viral on social media for years, while images of animals feeding on waste have become commonplace.
The situation at the turnoff to Maljevik, near the Post Office and the 'Kekec' Primary School, near Golo Brdo and along the coast is particularly worrying, where the 'communal order' has been transformed into a real 'masterpiece' of dysfunction. Despite the announced millions of investments and plans to improve infrastructure, playgrounds, halls and other necessary facilities that do not exist, the citizens of Sutomore have been facing the stepmotherly attitude of the DPS/SD government for decades, which continuously turns a blind eye to inadequate water supply in certain parts of the settlement during the summer, problems with waste disposal and collection, unfinished infrastructure projects, poor road conditions, especially in Gornji Zagrađe, Mirošica, Talići, part of the promenade towards the 'Love' hotel, and even the very center, where a dug-up street awaits the first tourists," she pointed out.
On behalf of her party, Minić expressed sincere gratitude to all the workers of the Public Utilities Company who, she said, are trying to maintain order despite difficult conditions. However, she added, their criticism is clearly directed at the irresponsible management and local government, which have not solved essential problems for years.
"At the sessions of the Bar Municipal Assembly, we continuously pointed out these problems, always with concrete evidence, strong arguments and proposals. Unfortunately, instead of solutions and gratitude for constructive criticism, we suffered the most mundane accusations, from epithets that we are populists, mockers, to those that we are malicious and that we do not act in the interests of citizens but in the direction of sensationalism.
Before the start of the key tourist season of 2025, which is projected to bring some economic growth, we call on the authorities to finally take responsibility and prioritize solving these chronic and accumulated problems that are damaging the quality of life and tourist reputation of our city.
"We urge you in advance that, if you think that the motive for our reaction is sensationalism and populism - dispel any doubts by surveying the citizens of Bar and Sutomore on the above topics - everything will be revealed to you," concludes the statement that Minić submitted to the media.
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