After a debate that lasted 13 hours, the councilors of the Capital City Assembly adopted the final budget of Podgorica with 30 votes in favor and nine against.
Everyone has given the green light for vulnerable categories to ride free on city and suburban transport.
They also decided to remove Aleksandar Vučković from the position of executive director of the company "Sportski objekti", and elected Miljan Ivanović as the new acting director of that city company.
They elected Dragan Radović as the new acting director of the Museum and Galleries, and Nemanja Gajović as the new acting director of the Podgorica-based "Zelenil".
With 30 votes in favor and two against, they supported the idea of building a quarry in the Kuči settlement.
The councilors adopted the reports of "Waterworks and Sewerage", "Cleanliness", "Funeral Services", as well as "Utility Services".
They accepted reports on the implementation of communal activities of "Markets and Markets", "Landfills", "Parking Services" and "Roads".
The councilors did not adopt the report on the work of local "Sports Facilities".
They accepted the report on the work of the Housing Agency, but not the results of the Agency for the Management of Protected Areas of Podgorica for the past year. They did, however, adopt the report on the work of the Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica.
The report on the work of the "City Theater" institution was also accepted.
They did not adopt the report on the work of the Museum and Galleries, nor the KIC "Budo Tomović". The councilors refused to accept the report on the work of the "Children's Union".
They were, however, satisfied with how the Radosav Ljumović National Library and the Public Institution for Accommodation, Rehabilitation and Resocialization of Psychoactive Substance Users operated last year.
Mugoša: Construction of a quarry in Kuči for "Puteve" was not in the concession plan of the Ministry of Economic Development
The construction of a quarry in the Kuči settlement for the needs of the Podgorica-based company "Putevi" was not in the concession plan of the Ministry of Economic Development for the current year, and it is also necessary to know whether an environmental impact assessment has been carried out.
This was stated by the councilor of the Party of European Progress (SEP) Ilija Mugoša at a session of the Capital City Assembly, during a discussion on granting consent to resolve property-legal relations with Radenko Mijović, in connection with the construction of a quarry for the needs of the "Putevi" company.
According to him, this decision must be analyzed in more detail.
"There are two quarries in Danilovgrad that produce architectural stone. In Danilovgrad, you have a landfill of five million tons of technical and construction stone. Speed is important, but I would advise looking at the different modalities that can be applied in this case," Mugoša pointed out.
Director of the Property Directorate, Milica Kadović, said that they have prepared the documentation – a decision to resolve property relations with Radenko Mijović, in connection with the construction of a quarry in Kuči.
Executive Director of "Putevi" Radoš Zečević explained that the quarry will serve that company.
According to the documentation, Mijović will give the city administration almost 130.000 square meters worth almost 450.000 euros. The city will give him a 162 square meter plot of land worth more than 575.000 euros.
Councilor of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Vladan Arsović doubted the election of Mijović, as well as those who chose him.
Srđan Perić, a councilor for the Preokret Movement, said that the intention of the Podgorica-based company "Putevi" to have a quarry is fine, but that it must be approached carefully. He also suggested that the discussion on the construction of a quarry on the territory of the Kuči settlement be postponed.
"It obliges us to take a closer look at this decision. The intention for a business entity to have its own 'economic' base is not in dispute," said Perić.
Zečević invited the opposition to visit the location planned for the quarry.
Perić said that he would like to receive the precise location, adding that the government should show a gesture of goodwill and postpone the discussion on this item until the next session.
"... So that Botun two doesn't happen to us. I would like to receive the documentation. Nothing will happen in a month," said Perić, adding that it would be important to know the opinion of the residents of that part of Kuče.
Perić said that during the DPS era, "there was always a matrix of exploitation of economic resources."
Councilor of the European Union Budimir Mugoša said that concessions are being given for quarries. In his opinion, the construction of a quarry for the needs of "Putevi" is a legal and economic issue. As he said, the Environmental Protection Agency must give an opinion on this. Mugoša stated that only the mayor has the right to exchange, and that the decision should be withdrawn.
Arsović: "Vodovod" has a lot of problems; Mujović: Failures in the work of the Protection and Rescue Service are not publicly announced, because it gives the wind to the backs of arsonists
Vladan Arsović, a DPS councilor, praised the commitment of employees in the "Water Supply and Sewerage" department, as well as the Podgorica Protection and Rescue Service, who dealt with the fires that struck the capital in the previous period.
"'Vodovod' is a company that has a lot of problems in its functioning. We need to work on improving the staff in that company. We need to do everything to make that company profitable. It is necessary for all the roads in the capital to help all the companies in Podgorica. That way we would shorten all the deadlines. Let's all find a way together to improve all of that," Arsović emphasized.
Arsović said that he would like political purposes not to be used to perform certain tasks in the city.
Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović said that the Velje Brdo project will be implemented in stages and that the sewage problem will be solved with "bio-septic tanks".
"I'm not saying that nothing was done in the Lješanska nahija during the DPS period. A lot of it was done in the wrong way, or not in accordance with what was paid for. The pipes there were laid at a completely improper depth. Part of the pressure pipeline is on the surface of the ground, which is also a catastrophic thing," said Mujović.
The mayor asked the company directors to deliver everything they requested to the councilors.
Mujović also said that the employees of the Protection and Rescue Service proved to be true heroes.
He said that it is very important that the Service's shortcomings are not publicly announced, because it "gives the arsonists a boost."
"If you have any complaints about the work, come to me. You don't need to remain silent. We will go together to Commander Nikola Bojanović. Let's protect and guard our property. Let's beware of harsh words and statements, at least while this fire season lasts," he emphasized.
Arsović (DPS) said that the Suspension Bridge in Podgorica is a "critical point".
"The bridge was built in 1969. I believe it should be reconstructed. Please let us get into that story in the future," he said.
Councilor of the Preokret Movement, Mirza Krnić, stated that the largest losses were in the companies "Čistoća" and "Vodovod i kanalizacija".
"There is very little information on how services for citizens will be improved. 'Parking services' have increased prices at the Clinical Center and I think that is unnecessary. There is an intention that companies and the city administration are focused on themselves, not on citizens," he said.
In his opinion, the joint-stock company "Plodovi" has been greatly neglected. He believes that "Tržnice i piacee" could cooperate with "Plodovi".
"Which would send a message of safety to manufacturers. We are not looking for any spectacle, but for companies to do their job. There is no adequate system for evaluating management performance," he pointed out.
The Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica, according to him, is making a profit, but "Podgorica is not developing to the extent planned."
Councilor Ljiljana Maraš (Democratic Montenegro) pointed out that "in this convocation they had the opportunity to hear more criticism than praise."
Klikovac: The best example of violating the law and not operating in accordance with international standards is Radio-Television Podgorica
The best example of violating the law and not operating in accordance with international standards is Radio-Television Podgorica (City Television), which is in total legal anarchy.
This was stated, among other things, by the head of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) councilors' club, Andrija Klikovac, during the session of the Capital City Assembly.
"This is a consumer television station for which more than a million euros have been allocated in this budget. As for the financial operations of this local public broadcaster, the report of the State Audit Institution (DRI) said that the operations of this broadcaster are conditional. We have a negative opinion on the audit of operations. The capital of this company was also incorrectly displayed. The loss of the balance sheet was incorrectly recorded, as well as donations. As for the audit of operations, they managed to violate eight laws... There is no area of law where this entity has not violated some of the laws...", said Klikovac.
Today, in addition to the final budget statement of Podgorica for the previous year, the councilors of the Capital City Assembly should also discuss reports on the work of several public institutions and companies, the decision on free urban and suburban transport for categories of vulnerable persons...
Klikovac also claims that the local public broadcaster "employs people without advertising."
"We don't even have employee records. It's not known who works, what their working hours are. Total legal anarchy. Then we're not surprised that we have fake news. You'll remember the shooting in Cetinje from mid-January. So someone was held accountable, and we don't even know who or how. This is happening at City Television. If there was even a little bit of an independent prosecutor's office in the country, they should start combing through what's there tomorrow."
Klikovac also pointed out that the citizens of Podgorica have a bad opinion of the local public broadcaster. He emphasized that months before the official elections, it was known who would hold which position in that local public broadcaster.
Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović replied that his criticism was inappropriate.
"If you ask me if the work of Gradska TV can be better. You are absolutely right – they need and must be better. If you ask me, can something that is born wrong and bizarre against all the laws of society, can it be corrected? For that, I will need additional science to be able to answer that question. Every television station is founded with the intention of being a bastion of objectivity. Gradska TV in 2021 was anything but objective television. It was a powerful weapon for the party to which you belong," he said.
Mujović asked whether "during Mirka Dević's period it was possible for Milojko Spajić to be invited to the show."
"Let's see what he learned. Could we have expected Jakov Milatović to be the guest on the show? What did we have? Statements, laments, stories that we would be conquered...", said Mujović, adding that "City Television is the Sorbonne today."
Klikovac replied that "if that's the Sorbonne, he doesn't know what Palanka is."
"Vladimir Otašević was elected to the offices of the Europe Now Movement... Opposition councilors do not participate in the work of that television as long as you have guests who insult the civic character of Montenegro. As long as you have such attacks on the Basketball Club 'Budućnost', as well as as long as you have results that Gradska has the least content for the citizens of Podgorica of all broadcasters," he said.
He pointed out that "City Television is a true example of nepotism."
Špadijer: The capital has significantly improved the quality of public services
Acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Financial Affairs and Budget Analysis Balša Špadijer said that the Capital City significantly improved the quality of public services in the previous year.
"Total revenue generated amounted to 129 million euros, representing an increase of almost 14 percent compared to 2023. Record tax revenues were achieved. We are satisfied with the revenue generated from real estate taxes, which amounted to more than 15 million euros. Revenue from fines amounted to 900.000 euros," said Špadijer.
Capital investments amounted to 45 million, while more than 15 million were allocated for city utility companies.
Klikovac said that the final report is a reflection of how the Capital City system functioned last year.
"Current revenues would have been much lower if eight percent of the funds from 2023 had not been transferred. Revenues depended on tax collection. Someone is not doing their job well. Why doesn't Špadijer say that fees were collected at 57 percent of the plan. What is happening with the utility equipment fee for last year? There is almost no business entity in the territory of Podgorica that did not wait half a year to sign contracts for utility equipment of land," he pointed out.
He said that the Citizens' Service allocated more than 60.000 euros for service contracts.
"The City Architect's Office realized 45.000 euros. Almost 40.000 euros were redirected for this purpose. The Secretariat for Financial Affairs realized 56.688 euros. The question arises, why is someone hired on the basis of a service contract, if those positions exist in the Systematization Act," asked the head of the opposition councilors' club.
He announced criminal charges for presenting incorrect data in the final budget statement for last year.
The head of the Europe Now Movement (PES) councilors' club, Anđela Mićović, pointed out that several companies have sued the Capital City. She said that the DRI report on the work of City Television is "the result of opposition officials."
"Gradska TV has 20 contracts in the works. During the months of 2022, there were more than 130 employees," she said.
Mićović said that hate speech could be heard on City Television before, and that the non-governmental organization (NGO) Media Centar had to react because of this. She said that there were no reverse lists on that television before. Mićović also refers to "oral claims by certain employees that Tamara Nikčević took an iPhone, as well as a MacBook laptop."
Deputy Mayor Nađa Ljiljanić said that the management of City Television must resolve the irregularities pointed out by the DRI report.
Councilor of the Preokret Movement, Srđan Perić, said that the final account shows that the current government does not know how to develop and train the administration.
"The capital has no idea what it should train its employees on," he noted.
European Union councilor Miloš Mašković said that the situation at the local public broadcaster is much worse than before. He referred to Otašević's loans from the city company, and added that Otašević should be dismissed for illegal operations.
Klikovac said that lawyers at City Television were known to write various criticisms of the DRI report.
"You can't cover up what's been happening since last year. You have more people in the management of Gradska than in 'Vodovod'... Not even if they were the BBC. Five local public officials have employed family members in the past year and a half without experience or advertising. Continue to justify yourself like this and talk about the previous period, while you did nothing in the previous period," the DPS councilor stated.
Ljiljanić emphasized that more local topics must be broadcast on City Television.
"Don't think that we don't follow the work of that television station. We expect a rebranding and that all mistakes will be corrected."
Mujović: I was considering the option of abolishing City Television
Mujović said that he did not want to hide anything, which is why he was constantly present in the hall until the end of the parliamentary debate.
"I was raised to respect state institutions both when they benefit me and when they don't. Recently, we had my lawsuit against DPS rejected by the court. I didn't come out crying. Congratulations, you beat me this time. No crying and no criticism. The DRI's findings must be respected. Every comment that is made must be answered within the legal deadline. Let's be careful with that finding. It is true that new staff have been brought in. If the television was built on unhealthy foundations, you cannot expect the people who created the atmosphere of lynching and lamentation to be ready to transform and work as the rules of the journalistic profession dictate," said Mujović.
The mayor said that he had considered the option of abolishing City Television, but then the question arose of what the new government's relationship with the media was.
"City Television and Television of Montenegro are owned by Montenegrin citizens. Everything else is owned by people from abroad, or some of our own. There is dualism in City Television. You have old and new staff. If we start restarting that television, the first criticism will be that the mayor is carrying out revenge. City Television is a big challenge. The situation is not good now. There are problems now, but it is up to us to solve them. Let's go step by step," he said.
Klikovac reminded that the DRI's findings are very problematic. He said that Mujović must react informally when City Television publishes, as he said, incorrect information.
"How long will it work like this? What is the Council of that television doing? They have been adopting the systematization for a year. The lawyer Aleksandar Đurišić was also a problem. The thing is that there is chaos in that television. I am glad if they will take the DRI's findings seriously. Someone has to bear certain consequences," he said.
Mašković asked Mujović if he knew that the Media Union of Montenegro had demanded that Otašević be dismissed for illegal business dealings.
"I ask you and the Media Union to listen to us more carefully. You are making us think that Otašević was appointed for political reasons. I have seen, it seems to me, that Otašević is defending himself for political reasons and that journalists there are divided into 'yours' and 'ours'," he said.
Perić said that the city cannot be efficient "without an efficient city administration."
"He has no idea what the city needs to develop... The difference between successful and unsuccessful companies is how people are trained. Every government in Montenegro has hired people in line with party lines."
Miloš Mašković (European Union) said that service contracts are presented differently in the budget and final accounts. He pointed out that the Secretariat for Finance spent 56.000 euros on service contracts.
Councilor of the Party of European Progress (SEP) Ilija Mugoša said that poor planning leads to inadequate allocation of resources. "The only item that has been implemented 10 percent is these service contracts. More than a million has been spent on service contracts... The National Library uses almost XNUMX percent of its budget on service contracts. The transferred funds are also a problem," Mugoša assessed.
Mujović: It is malicious to say that Spajić is a guest on commissioned shows
Mayor Saša Mujović said that it is very malicious to say that the Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić can only appear on commissioned shows.
"Saying that Mr. Spajić cannot be a guest on a show is extremely malicious and ill-intentioned. I think that Mr. Spajić is up for much greater things and I think that we should appreciate the fact that he is one of the few who has a craft in his hands. The prime ministership was not his first, nor will it be his last. The man has knowledge and references and that should be respected. I think that is good for Montenegro."
Klikovac (DPS) stated that Spajić made many promises.
"The owners of the two companies are in the PES and are responsible for most of the personnel policy. It is also known which place to go to regarding personnel policy – this is Podgorica."
Councilor of the Europe Now Movement (PES), Anđela Mićović, said that the former editor-in-chief of RTV Podgorica Tamara Nikčević had a service contract with the local public broadcaster for a net amount of 4.000 euros.
This, she said, amounted to 48.000 euros annually.
She pointed out that she has documentation that Nikčević paid for both accommodation and travel expenses.
Mićović also said that former deputy mayor Slađana Vujačić also had her own show on RTV "Podgorica", without a cooperation agreement.
Mirza Krnić (Preokret) pointed out that the final account shows that there has been no real progress.
"More interesting is the revenue structure, where 71 million was generated from taxes. Citizens are not getting faster, more functional and efficient administration. Not a single item has been implemented XNUMX percent. We have been transferring funds for years. When they say we don't have them, that's not true, there are some, but they are either not spent, or they don't give the expected result," said Krnić.
He pointed out that the final account accentuates stagnation, adding that the question arises as to what exactly the budget is used for - for development or for maintaining a cumbersome administration.
Mašković: Adopt this decision for the sake of pensioners
The head of the Europe Now Movement (PES) councilors' club, Anđela Mićović, said that the proposal for a decision on free transport in suburban and city line transport for categories of vulnerable persons was created because, as she claims, they were not sufficiently cared for during the previous government.
Mićović said that it is important to show that the interests of citizens are still the most important.
"Unity is not weakness, but strength," she declared.
Ivana Mašković, councilor for the Future of Podgorica, said that public transportation should be available to all citizens.
"A large percentage of pensioners in our country continue to work after retirement. Pensioners and people in social need often have limited incomes. Social inclusion is another reason for adopting this decision," she said.
Accepting this decision, claims Mašković, would reduce the marginalization of vulnerable categories of society. She added that pensioners make up "a quarter of public transport users."
Preokret Movement councilor Srđan Perić asked why this decision was not extended to all citizens.
"The benefits to the community are multiple. There must be a constant effort by the administration to make this kind of service come to life. We will support the appeal to regulate free traffic for a certain period of time, so that people turn to the option of using buses as much as possible," he said.
Mayor Saša Mujović, responding to Perić, said that he was a "supporter of gradual work."
"We must take care of the 'Putevi' company and their financial aspect. We must be careful. I ask for understanding so that we can put things in their place," he said.
He said that he disagrees with "newspaper headlines that citizens are waiting for buses in the sun" village and a half", adding that it was "not really like that".
SEP councilor Ilija Mugoša appealed that city buses should not run every day. village and a half, adding that several citizens had expressed their concern about it.
Stevan Kandić, a PES councilor, said that in Podgorica, 17 percent of the population has the right to free public transportation. After the adoption of the decision, he said, that number will be 30 percent. According to him, this also satisfies the gender aspect, because, as he said, women drive less.
The head of the Democratic councilors' club, Mitar Paunović, emphasized that it is important to increase regular transportation in the city "so that it is more accessible to all citizens."
"Especially for pensioners who, it seems to me, need this transportation the most," he emphasized.
Ćulafić: Finalize the Decision on Free Urban and Suburban Transport
Councilor of the Democratic Party of Socialists, Stefan Ćulafić, said that this decision should be slightly revised.
"I found out that they don't have audio announcements on buses. This is very important for pensioners. I am a supporter of digitalization, but we must know that some of our fellow citizens do not use such modern tools."
He emphasized that work should be done on introducing yellow, "or fast lanes for buses."
Radoš Zečević, executive director of Podgorica's "Putevi", said that sometimes it can happen that the "air conditioner gets stuck" and does not work.
"The air conditioners are working, they are serviced regularly... If someone really drives with the doors open, they will no longer drive it to the company," Zečević pointed out.
Ksenija Aranitović (DPS) asked what was happening with Komša, "i.e. free transportation for pensioners in the inner city."
"I haven't seen him for two years, I would like someone to explain it to me. The statement that pensioners were being received for the first time by the city administration was deafening...", she said.
Stefan Bulatović, on behalf of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Biciklo.me, said that urban mobility is "a topic of unification, not separation."
"We've been discussing this topic for two hours, which is good. Traffic is a burning issue in the city... Other aspects cannot suffer if we have public transport even for vulnerable categories."
According to him, a special city enterprise on public transport is particularly important.
"We must be aware that traffic will improve when we prioritize public transport. I welcome this decision and hope that it will contribute to transferring some citizens from cars to public transport," said Bulatović.
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