CZIP: Because of Bulatović, we still haven't reached the stage of choosing a contractor

The Center for the Protection and Study of Birds (CZIP) announced that they have provided funds for the implementation of urgent measures to rehabilitate the Ulcinj salt pan with the clear aim of improving the ecological condition of this important area for birds, a Nature Park, RAMSAR and a potential Natura 2000 area.

"The funds were provided by the MAVA Foundation in the amount of 535.000 euros," the announcement states.

They emphasize that, together with colleagues from the Ministry of Ecology, the Agency for Environmental Protection, the Municipality of Ulcinj, as well as representatives of JP National Parks of Montenegro, they worked on the planning and implementation of the project for the past 6 months, very transparently within the working group formed by the Ministry of Ecology, at for which the director of National Parks, Aleksandar Bulatović, personally nominated his representatives.

"The recognition that, as a manager, he is not familiar with our activities or the plan for the rehabilitation of the Ulcinj Saltworks, and that the process is non-transparent despite the fact that he himself chose the delegates in front of the company to participate in the working group, speaks volumes about his managerial abilities and willingness to really get involved and contribute to solving key problems," the CZIP emphasizes.

As they say, "if Mr. Bulatović had ever opened the rehabilitation project and read one of his letters, let alone attended yesterday's conference, he would have understood that the rehabilitation does not cost half a million as he states in his announcement, which is full of easily provable falsehoods".

"Therefore, we hope that they will read the following, which is also an integral part of the criminal report that they will soon receive after it is delivered to the special state prosecutor," they emphasized in the announcement.

They claim that "from the mentioned sum, in addition to the rehabilitation itself, funds were provided for the realization of other activities, which include as many as 4 from the Action Plan for Chapter 27"

"Purchase of Pump 31, in cooperation with a company from North Macedonia, which also produced the Djerana pump in the amount of 100 thousand euros; Procurement of a Volvo brand excavator that will be handed over to the operator for the needs of embankment restoration in the amount of about 160 thousand euros; Construction of geodetic foundation in the amount of 92 thousand euros, of which about 70 thousand is covered by this grant, and for the first time such complex surveys are being carried out, because the salt flat is a large part of the site under water; Preparation of project documentation for rehabilitation in the amount of about 22 thousand euros; Necessary geological measurements bearing the load of machines on the embankments in the amount of about 9 thousand euros", the announcement states.

"Regarding the allegations that it makes sense to choose a state-owned company to carry out rehabilitation works, we absolutely agree, but thanks to Director Bulatović, we have not yet reached the stage of choosing a contractor. In order to get there, he as the manager should submit a request for remediation to the Environmental Protection Agency, and then it issues a permit," the Center emphasizes.

They point out that the contractor can be chosen by mutual agreement, only after that.

As they say, "we don't have any problem with that, but the director seems to, because he never asked either in writing or orally for insight into any financial structures of the project, whatever that meant, nor did he ever refuse to sign a request for rehabilitation. On the contrary, 10 In October, at a joint meeting with Minister Novaković-Đurović, he agreed to sign it as soon as possible".

They believe that all claims should be supported by evidence, so they call on director Bulatović to submit any letter to the media that proves that CZIP contests the insight into the finances or refuses to engage the company Zaštita prostaro DOO.

They emphasize that, "it is completely irrelevant which company will carry out the rehabilitation. The most important thing is the nature and timely rehabilitation of the Ulcinj Saltworks, which is too late this year".

"A justified question arises, what was director Bulatović actually waiting for until now and why do we not have repaired bentos when, according to the estimate he gives, they cost only 8 thousand euros, and he earned a million this year. Why does director Bulatović come with these estimates before the rainy season , when the execution of the works is not possible, thereby obstructing the rehabilitation initiated by us half a year in advance", they state from the CZIP.

As they say, "what kind of manager, manager, but above all man is director Bulatović, when he didn't communicate the problematic situation at the saltworks with the ministry in time, but only acquires his afterthought and gets sudden inspiration for work only when the CZIP rehabilitation project appeared?" .

They are wondering where the director Bulatović was, to warn in time that the Đerane pump is exhaling and that it needs an urgent overhaul in the amount of 50 thousand euros.

"Does he think that he can use a magic trick to fix that for "5 euros" when we offer a hand of partnership?", said CZIP.

"Where was director Bulatović when CZIP offered him timely help for the service of pump station 16, which he allowed only after one of them stopped working?", they ask in the announcement.

They also ask "where was director Bulatović when the Atacama desert dawned on the salt flats this summer, the nesting season failed just like the one with the pelicans on Lake Skadar, because he did not provide adequate water management?".

"We are sorry that nature is suffering because of all of the above. You have partners in us even now, not only you but also all future directors and managers because you are temporary in those positions, and nature is eternal," the announcement concludes.