The construction of the Regional Waste Management Center in Nikšić will enable environmentally friendly waste processing and selection, in accordance with the principles of the circular economy, said the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development of the North, Damjan Ćulafić.
He said this in the Parliament, responding to a question from Democratic Montenegro MP Anđela Vojinović about how the issue of waste management in Nikšić will be resolved.
Vojinović pointed out the importance of closing the Mislov do landfill in Nikšić and warned that unsorted municipal waste is now being transported to the Livade landfill in Podgorica.
Ćulafić said that the National Waste Management Plan for the period until 2029 defines a strategy for the development of waste management infrastructure in Nikšić, which envisages the construction of a Regional Waste Management Center in that city.
"Which will enable environmentally friendly processing and selection of waste, in accordance with the principles of the circular economy," added Ćulafić.
As he said, one of the measures is to increase recycling capacity and separate waste collection, as well as develop a network of transfer stations and improve waste management logistics.
According to Ćulafić, this will enable more efficient waste transport, while reducing negative environmental impacts.
The plan, he said, also envisages the rehabilitation of illegal waste dumps in Nikšić, as well as the establishment of a regional waste management system.
"These activities are aligned with European Union (EU) policies and strategies for transitioning to a circular economy," Ćulafić pointed out.
He said that he believes that, through joint work with the local government, competent institutions and citizens, he will ensure that Nikšić receives a modern and sustainable waste management system.
"This will avoid the need for temporary solutions, such as transporting waste to other cities," said Ćulafič.
GP URA MP Ana Novaković Đurović asked when the grit would be removed from the Straševina and Kličevo neighborhoods in Nikšić, stating that six months had already passed since the promise that it would "happen quickly."
Ćulafić said that removing grit from Nikšić is a priority for the Ministry, recalling that he had previously said that he would address this issue thoroughly and responsibly.
"Grit removal remains a priority for the Ministry, but the removal process is complex due to technical, regulatory and financial challenges," said Ćulafić.
He stated that numerous activities have been undertaken to resolve the problem of grit, that analyses of possible solutions have been conducted, that the process of securing budgetary funds and searching for potential international partners to support waste removal is underway.
According to Ćulafić, a certain amount of this material has already been removed by the subject of surveillance, through voluntary execution.
"We are aware of the importance of this issue for the local community and continue to work on resolving it as soon as possible, while respecting environmental and legal procedures," said Ćulafić.
Responding to a question from Democratic Party MP Duško Stjepović whether municipalities can count on the assistance of the Ministry and the Government in finding solutions for wastewater treatment, Ćulafić said that the construction of a wastewater treatment plant (WTP) represents one of Montenegro's key infrastructure projects in the EU accession process.
Ćulafić said that the Municipal Wastewater Management Plan, which the Government adopted in 2019, envisages the phased construction of WWTPs, with the aim of completing larger agglomerations by 2029, while complete implementation is expected by 2035, including collector systems.
"Aware of the challenges faced by local governments, especially less developed municipalities, the relevant Ministry, with the support of the Government and in cooperation with implementation units and local governments, continuously provides financial and technical support," added Ćulafić.
He said that the Ministry and the Government are actively assisting in applying for funds from international funds and other sources of financing.
"Given the significant investment costs that such projects require, the Ministry is working intensively to secure additional financial mechanisms that will facilitate their implementation," said Ćulafić.
Social Democrat MP Boris Mugoša asked Ćulafić whether it was true that the Labor Inspectorate had determined that the executive director of the Regional Water Supply Company was illegally elected to that position and that the president of the company's Board of Directors resigned more than three months ago.
Ćulafić said that only economist Krsto Radović applied for the public vacancy for the executive director of the Regional Water Supply Company.
He said that the Board of Directors of the Regional Water Supply Company, at a meeting held at the proposal of the competition committee, appointed Radović as executive director.
"Based on such a decision of the Board of Directors, an Employment Contract was concluded between the President of the Board of Directors, Zoran Lakušić, and Radović," said Ćulafić.
He added that on February 28, a labor inspector conducted an inspection at the Regional Water Supply Company, in connection with the decision of the Board of Directors to appoint Radović as executive director.
"The labor inspector ordered the elimination of irregularities that occurred when concluding the Employment Contract with the executive director, given that Radović does not meet the special conditions prescribed by the Company's Statute, in the part related to gaining work experience in the qualification of the VII1 level of education," stated Ćulafić.
He said that Lakušić filed an appeal against that decision with the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue, challenging the decision due to incorrectly determined facts, incorrect application of substantive law and violation of the rules of Administrative Procedure.
"At the same time, he filed an appeal proposing a postponement of the execution of the decision until a second-instance decision is made in this case. No second-instance decision has been made on that appeal to this point," Ćulafić said.
He said that Lakušić resigned from his position as President of the Board of Directors of the Regional Water Supply Company and that, after the Government confirms his resignation, the election of a new Board of Directors will begin.
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