In the peak of the summer tourist season, accompanied by high daily temperatures, the residents of the Old Town in Ulcinj have been struggling with the lack of water for the last few days.
They are forced to buy water and that it is from the Orthodox cemetery, since the cistern can only go that far, they use fire hoses to carry it to houses and restaurants.
Old town Karamanag excrement he says that he understands that many problems have accumulated and that the tourist season is in progress, but that the government must not forget that the majority of guests are also in the Old Town.
"It is unacceptable that the water supply in the Old Town has been irregular for several days. Is it possible that in the 21st century, when the tourist season is well underway, citizens are supplied with water from cisterns that can only reach the Orthodox cemetery, from where it is then brought to houses, restaurants, guests by fire hoses... That's why many guests and tourists resent it and want or already leave our houses and apartments", said Karamanaga to "Vijesta".
And the owner of the restaurant "Teuta" To Shazi Nimanbeg he is outraged that there is no water in the Old Town in the middle of the peak season.
"This is terrible... How can I explain to the guest that there is no pressure and that the water from the tap comes almost to the drop. They are surprised and leave," says Nimanbegu.
"News" was told in the Municipality that it was not a matter of any malfunction, but that the water simply did not reach the pipes of the ancient fortress.
"We have a big problem because the consumption is so high that the water does not reach the Old Town. We started to take more water from the Regional Waterworks in order to be able to balance, but it will be difficult, especially for one part of the Old Town", said our interlocutor.
Karamanaga points out that it is not enough "to be proud of having the Old Town, which is more than two and a half thousand years old and that its photos are mostly hanging in the offices".
"You have to invest in the Old Town, but we all have to take care of it together, especially those to whom we pay taxes, utilities, fines...", he says.
But, as he says, water is not the only problem plaguing the inhabitants of the Old Town.
"We had too much hope in the new government that they would get involved and start repairing the collapsed ramparts, which have been pending for two years. There is a danger that that part will completely collapse into the sea. Of course, the cause is the land that was brought in by excavation and construction of the building, the fate of which is still unknown," says Karamanaga.
He appealed to the competent structures to get in touch with the owners and decide on the fate of the walls.
He insists that the Municipal Corporation acquires a new electric vehicle for taking out garbage from the Old Town.
"The way it is done in Kotor, because the existing tractor is outdated and unfit, bearing in mind that every day it spills and spills onto the beautiful cobblestones, so unpleasant odors spread especially at the entrance," claims Karamanaga.
The locals, he says, demand that the Municipal Corporation treat the streets in the Old Town like the rest of the city.
"It is necessary that their teams are engaged in cleaning and maintaining the streets of the old town. It is not enough that only the citizens of the Old Town do it, because during the season there is a high frequency of guests day and night, and therefore their engagement is necessary," said Karamanaga.
He also says that many citizens of the Old Town have problems with parking, despite numerous pleas and requests that a part of the parking lot be secured for them, next to and in front of the entrance to the Old Town.
"The old town, with its location, superb apartments and great restaurants, must be a mirror of our city and our tourist offer. I think that with these kinds of problems and this kind of involvement of the authorities, we are not that," Karamanaga assessed.
The museum is being renovated in the middle of summer
Karamanaga also mentioned the problem with the Museum, which is only partially functional. He says that it is unacceptable for the three main buildings of the Museum to be renovated during the tourist season.
"We remind the gentlemen that today's tourists do not come only for beaches and swimming, but that they must be offered much more. In this case, they were denied a visit to the largest part of our imposing cultural heritage. Admittedly, the staff of the Museum is there, they come to work every day and open the gates, but the guests are denied to see and get to know the crucial parts of the Museum", said Karamanaga.
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