The capital city of Podgorica and the municipality of Danilovgrad are unable to agree on who should settle the electricity bills for the two water sources of the Electric Power Company of Montenegro, and the residents of Koman and Bandić who for 20 days have not had the basic condition for a dignified life - drinking water - are paying for this non-cooperation.
They also announce that they are giving the administrations of the two cities until the end of this week, after which they will block the boulevard that connects Podgorica and Danilovgrad.
Koman resident Darko Radonjić told "Vijesta" that "if they start blocking the boulevard, they will not give up until the situation is resolved".
"Our water was turned off because of the electricity debt at the Vučji studenac water source. That debt, as we were told, amounts to more than 120.000 euros. If the problem is not solved, we will have to block the boulevard between Podgorica and Danilovgrad," said Radonjić.
The Montenegrin Electric Distribution System (CEDIS) confirmed to "Vijesta" that "the Vučji studenac pump was turned off due to an outstanding debt in the amount of 120.348 euros."
"Then, on December 10, the team of the Metering Service of Region Two again carried out a control at the same metering point and found an arbitrarily connected user. In accordance with the Law, the team again disconnected the user from the network as required by the procedure for all users caught in illegal actions on the distribution network," said CEDIS.
Locals emphasize that they are not to blame for the fact that there are "unsettled relations between the two cities", so Podgorica pays the bills, while Danilovgrad has paid the electricity until now.
The Municipality of Danilovgrad replied to "Vijesti" that President Aleksandar Grgurović sent several letters to resolve the problem, "because he warned that this situation would occur".
"Namely, in letters to the directors of the Podgorica and Danilovgrad 'Waterworks and Sewerage', he informed that the Municipality of Danilovgrad, in accordance with the concluded Agreement on the fulfillment of obligations based on the debt for electricity at billing number 1994420 (Vučji studenac pump) dated October 6.10.2021, 1994412, as well as Agreement on the fulfillment of obligations based on the debt for electricity on billing number 6.10.2021 (Podkuk pump) from October 148.096,13, 105.496,00. accepted the debt in the amount of XNUMX euros and XNUMX euros, and regularly settled the obligations", said the municipality of Danilovgrad, adding that Grgurović asked in July to "continue negotiations and reach an agreement on who will pay in the future monthly bills for consumed electricity".
They reminded that the Municipality of Danilovgrad is in accordance with the "protocol from 17.10.2021 - 17.10.2024." paid 148.096 euros".
"...And for the Podkuk pump for the period from November 23.11.2021, 30.10.2024. until 105.496. she paid XNUMX euros", they told "Vijesti".
A local woman from Koman with four children confirmed that the lack of water makes everyday life difficult, who said that this problem is not of a recent nature, but that it has happened before.
She emphasized that they have repeatedly addressed the competent authorities, but that they were told that "it is not within their competence".
Aleksandar Nišavić, director of Podgorica's "Vodovoda i Kanalizacija", told "Vijesta" that there are three pumping stations in the area of Koman, and two in Bandići.
"Podgorica 'Vodovod' maintains the entire water supply network in the area of Koman and Bandić. We maintain pumping and pre-pumping stations, water chlorination and pay bills for pumping plants on the premises. For the two meters through which the pumping plants in the Bandić area are connected, the electricity was paid by the MZ Bandići, i.e. the municipality of Danilovgrad. In the previous period, clear conditions and the way to maintain this system between the two municipalities were not defined anywhere," Nišavić said.
He emphasized that it is their responsibility to work "up-to-date and regularly", as well as to settle the bills for the consumed electricity that is taken to the Podgorica "Vodovod".
"It should be emphasized that Podgorica's 'Vodovod' charges water to the consumers of the Komani settlement, and that for years the consumers of the Bandići settlement have not paid water to anyone, precisely because of the irresponsible relationship from the earlier period. The directors of 'Vodovod' are not able to resolve territorial demarcations and divisions, even when it comes to consumers and the management of common infrastructure, but the same is in the competence of the President of Municipalities", Nišavić said.
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