After the police placed protective tape on a part of the yard of the "Ljubović" Center in Podgorica on Monday evening, where construction work on a neighboring plot caused a concrete wall-fence and ground to crack, the construction site of the "Safe Harbor" company from Nikšić was temporarily closed yesterday by the inspection of the Ministry of Spatial Planning.
At the same time, as "Vijesti" was told yesterday by the department, the investor was ordered to repair the damage.
"On 17. 9. 2025, the construction inspection of this ministry carried out an inspection at the location of cadastral plots no. 3491, 3488/2, 3488/3 and 3490 KO Podgorica III, within the scope of the DUP 'Zabjelo-Ljubović', and on that occasion a report was drawn up stating the factual situation, as well as irregularities on the basis of which further work on the facility was prohibited until the identified irregularities were eliminated. The report also ordered that urgent remediation measures be taken, or that a study of urgent remediation measures be prepared due to damage to the disputed, enclosing wall of the institution of the Public Institution 'Ljubović Center'," the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property, which is headed by Slaven Radunović.
Days of silence
The construction of a residential building next to the fence of the “Ljubović” Center began at the beginning of the month. “Vijesti” first asked the authorities about it on September 3rd - Radunović's department, but also the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography.
The editorial team received its first answers about ten days later. At that time, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, which had given approval to the “Safe Harbor” company for the urban-technical conditions and conceptual design, said that this had been done in accordance with regulations and announced an inspection.
Supervision was initiated from the Capital City of Podgorica, which was contacted by the director of "Ljubović" after construction began. Nina DelevicShe then sent the initiative for supervision to the inspection of the spatial planning department, stating that the future facility will endanger the peace, security, and privacy of users, and that the quality of the service provided by "Ljubović" will be called into question.
In the meantime, at least one urgent request has been sent to the Ministry of Spatial Planning, and three days ago, a letter in which the management of "Ljubovići" informed Slaven Radunović's department about the new circumstances - the cracking of the concrete fence.
The Ministry of Social Welfare, which is responsible for the work of the "Ljubović" Center, provided the editorial team with answers on Monday evening.
Lawsuit and supervision
"The Ministry has information that on September 3, 9, the Public Institution 'Ljubović Center' sent a letter to the competent inspection of the Capital City with the initiative to conduct inspection supervision over the construction site and the facility under construction. According to the information provided, the inspection of the Capital City conducted an on-site inspection in which it was stated that the facility was over 2025 square meters in area, which transferred jurisdiction to the Ministry of Spatial Planning, and the case was forwarded to the Construction Inspection," they state.
The next day, September 4, as they added, the Public Institution "Ljubović Center" filed a lawsuit with the Basic Court in Podgorica for trespassing, with a proposal to issue a temporary measure to suspend construction until the final conclusion of the court proceedings.
"Although the deadline stipulated by law for deciding on a temporary measure is eight days, to date no response has been delivered from the court," they state in their response.
The Ministry of Social Welfare also said that the management of the "Ljubović" Center has informed the Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate about everything and that they expect the inspection to be carried out in the coming days.
"Also, on 5. 9. 2025, the Public Institution 'Ljubović Center' addressed the Ministry of Labor and Social Dialogue with the initiative to conduct inspection supervision in the area of labor relations of employees at the construction site, as well as in terms of compliance with regulations in the field of occupational safety. The Public Institution 'Ljubović Center' was informed that the aforementioned inspection supervision would be carried out as soon as possible... Additionally, on 15. 9. 2025, the Public Institution 'Ljubović Center', after noticing a crack in the fence separating the institution from the construction site, again sent an urgent request to the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property...".
Possible impact on the dynamics of the work of “Ljubović”
From the department Damir Gutić In their response, they also state that the fact that "Ljubović" is located in the direct vicinity of a construction site "may result in exposure of users and employees to noise and dust."
As they added, the department "shares the concern that such conditions may have an impact on the overall dynamics of the institution itself."
"It is also in constant communication with the Management of the Public Institution 'Ljubović' Center, and is taking all legally prescribed measures to protect the interests of users and ensure the smooth functioning of the Center."
When asked whether the construction would violate the privacy of users and question the quality of services the institution provides to children and youth, as well as users of the Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking, which is part of the institution, they pointed to the importance of "preserving the safety, privacy, and dignity of users."
"Especially considering that the beneficiaries belong to a particularly vulnerable group of children, they will continue to monitor the situation and take measures and activities within their jurisdiction... The Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography remains committed to protecting the interests of beneficiaries, and particularly vulnerable groups of children, such as children who are beneficiaries of the services of the Public Institution "Ljubović" Center, and will continue, in cooperation with other competent authorities, to monitor the course of all procedures and to take all measures within their jurisdiction to protect the rights and safety of children and youth in the social protection system."
Child rights advice without answers
"Vijesti" previously asked the spatial planning department whether they took into account the fact that the "Ljubović" institution, which is also a shelter for children victims of human trafficking, is located in the immediate vicinity when granting approval. The shelter is located on the same location as the "Ljubović" Center, which was established by a government decision. Dritan Abazović, which was announced to the public at the time by Abazović himself.
Although the UNICEF office in Montenegro disputed the location - because victims and perpetrators can be found in the same place - the shelter was opened.
The editorial team has submitted questions about the construction of a residential building right next to the "Ljubović" fence to the Council for Children's Rights, the Council's president, and the Minister of Sports and Youth. Dragoslav ŠćekićThe Council, however, has not responded to "Vijesti's" questions, neither earlier nor in the meantime.
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