Development must not mean the destruction of people's lives, villages, agricultural land and tourism potential, said Vuk Iković, councilor of the Preokret movement in the Danilovgrad Municipal Assembly (MA) today.
He stated in a statement that the Ministry of Energy and Mining organized a public debate on the allocation of locations for the exploitation of mineral resources in the period from December 30 to January 19, during the New Year and Christmas holidays, winter break and reduced public attention.
"This is no coincidence. The State Plan for the Exploitation of Mineral Raw Materials for the period 2019–2028 clearly states that architectural and construction stone is the most important non-metallic mineral raw material in Montenegro, with the Bjelopavlić and coastal areas being particularly emphasized," Iković pointed out.
He added that the Ministry has planned to open quarries and other mining facilities in dozens of locations, and that just some of them are "Klikovače", Danilovgrad Municipality, "Kriva ploča – Slatina", Danilovgrad Municipality, Novo Selo, "Sađavac II", Danilovgrad Municipality, "Liješnje", Podgorica, "Možura", Bar Municipality, "Gradina", Berane Municipality, "Bistrica", Berane Municipality, "Donja Ržanica – Kaludra", Berane Municipality, "Štitarica – Taskavac II", Mojkovac Municipality, "Sjenokosi – Šula", Pljevlja Municipality and many others.
"The problem is that many municipalities have not informed citizens in a timely manner, even though some planned locations are located in or directly adjacent to settlements, next to busy roads, in areas planned for agriculture and rural tourism. No one is against development. But development must not mean the destruction of people's lives, villages, agricultural land and tourism potential. That is why I have officially addressed the Ministry of Energy and Mining with a request to extend the deadline for the public debate by an additional 15 days from the date of the decision, because a debate conducted during the holidays and winter break does not allow for real and meaningful participation of citizens," said Iković.
According to him, it is not enough for a public debate to be formally held.
"Citizens, local communities, non-governmental organizations, farmers and local entrepreneurs must have the opportunity to be involved in decision-making about the space in which they live, because tomorrow may be too late," said Iković.
The President of the Municipality of Danilovgrad, Aleksandar Grgurović, said today that if the opinion of the locals is that there is no quarry, that will also be the opinion of the local administration and such a conclusion will be sent to the Ministry of Energy and Mining.
Grgurović said this at a public forum organized for the annual plan for granting concessions for the exploitation of mineral resources, which was announced by the ministry headed by Admir Šahmanović.
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"Vijesti" announced this morning that the Danilovgrad local government was not officially notified of the launch of a public debate on the Annual Plan for Granting Concessions for the Exploitation of Mineral Raw Materials, which was announced by the Ministry of Energy and Mining, and which, according to their plan, ends today.
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Bonus video:
