Paunović: A clear and responsible message to the people of Botunja that the state assumes the obligation to protect their health

The adoption of the Decision on determining the public interest for the implementation of the project for the remediation of the red mud basin and solid waste landfill at the location of the Podgorica Aluminum Plant (KAP) represents a clear and responsible message to the residents of Botuni that the state assumes the obligation to protect their health and the health of their families, announced today Mitar Paunović, head of the Democratic Montenegro Councilors' Club in the Assembly of the Capital City of Podgorica.

"The Democratic Councilors' Club in the Capital City Assembly strongly supports today's adoption of the Decision on Determining Public Interest for the Implementation of the Project for the Remediation of the Red Mud Pool and Solid Waste Landfill at the Podgorica Aluminum Plant, at the proposal of the relevant Minister Damjan Ćulafić. With this decision, immediately following the conclusions of the Government of Montenegro, which placed Minister Ćulafić in charge of the implementation of the project, the resolution of one of the largest and decades-neglected environmental problems of Botun, Zeta and Podgorica begins. This makes the current Government the first to enter into a concrete and financially demanding rehabilitation project worth 32 million euros," Paunović emphasized in a statement.

He added that "the adoption of this decision represents a clear and responsible message to the residents of Botuni that the state assumes the obligation to protect their health and the health of their families, which has been endangered for years by the negative impact of the work of the Podgorica Aluminum Plant."

"The red mud basin rehabilitation project, as well as resolving the issue of wastewater treatment, represents the foundation for long-term improvement of the quality of life and environmental protection, and an important prerequisite for a healthier future for generations to come in the area of ​​our Zeta and our Podgorica," said Paunović.

The Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development (MERS) announced earlier today that the Government, at the proposal of Ćulafić, has adopted a Decision on the determination of public interest for the implementation of the project "Waste Management Reform in Montenegro - Remediation of the Red Mud Basin and Solid Waste Landfill at the Podgorica Aluminum Plant (KAP)".