The waste problem in Montenegro will be solved during the mandate of the current government, said the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development of the North (MERS).
The Party of European Progress (SEP) said earlier today that the ambassador of the European Union (EU) in Montenegro, Johan Satler, warned about the alarming situation in the field of environmental protection and called on Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to deal with the problem.
"Decades of the neglected problem of waste and its impact on the health of our citizens are challenges that this Government and MERS will solve during their mandate," said MERS in response.
The government department pointed out that the priorities include the construction of regional centers for waste management in Podgorica, Bijelo Polje, Nikšić and Bar, which will be implemented with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank (WB).
They stated that they talked with the EBRD about support for the construction of a regional center and the expansion of the existing capacities of the Možura landfill in Bar, which will significantly improve the waste management system in that part of the country.
"In Nikšić, with the help of the SB, studies have been prepared that precede the project for the construction of the regional center, and the Municipality has already defined the location for its implementation," said MERS.
They recalled the closure of the Mislov Do landfill, which for decades endangered the health of the citizens of that region.
"The waste is now taken to the Livade landfill in Podgorica, which is a step forward towards environmental protection," MERS added.
As they stated, in cooperation with the local self-government of Bijelo Polje, they are working on choosing a location for the regional recycling center.
MERS said that in Podgorica they defined the steps for improving the existing infrastructure and expanding activities in the area of the Livada landfill.
"Our goal is for the capital to get a modern and efficient waste management center that will meet the needs of citizens and environmental protection standards," said MERS.
In the response, it is stated that from last year until now, 103 illegal landfills throughout Montenegro have been rehabilitated or are in the process of being rehabilitated.
"In addition, the Government is actively working to raise citizens' awareness of the importance of responsible waste management, thereby trying to prevent the creation of new illegal landfills," says the response.
It is emphasized that the national waste management plan will be submitted to the Government for adoption by the end of the year in accordance with the previously set deadlines.
MERS stated that the activities in accordance with the Law on Waste Management have also been started.
As they said, in the last nine months, five sessions of the Working Group for Chapter 27 and four sessions of Cluster Four, within which that chapter is located, were held.
This, the Ministry added, shows the increased activity of the negotiation groups with regard to the set deadlines for fulfilling the final benchmarks, which was also shown in the European Commission Report.
"The government remains committed to solving these issues, with constant cooperation with local governments, citizens and international partners, ensuring long-term solutions for sustainable waste management, protecting the health of citizens and improving the quality of the environment," MERS said.
Bonus video:
