Capital city officials have not spoken with the residents of Botuni regarding possible compensation for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant (collector) in that settlement, so claims that they were offered money, as well as three-bedroom apartments in Podgorica, are not true.
This follows from the mayor's response. Saša Mujović, who submitted a question to the council Jelena Milosevic, a councilor of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD) in the Capital City Assembly.
At the end of September, she asked Mujović if he had spoken to the residents of Zeta about building a collector, adding that "there are rumors circulating in the public that citizens have been offered land purchase and a three-room apartment in Podgorica."
The Mayor of Podgorica, his associates, and the heads of local businesses will answer questions from councilors today.
In his response, Mujović points out that during a meeting he held with the residents of Botun on January 14, he "became aware of the complexity of the problem and the huge gap between opinions."
Wanting to show respect for the locals, Mujović claims, he pledged "to do everything to find an alternative location."
"... At least for a part of the plant, namely the incinerator, because it caused the greatest doubts and that I will get acquainted in detail with the quality of the equipment that was ordered. In communication with the Podgorica company 'Vodovod i kanalizacija', the consulting company 'Fichtner Water and Transport' engaged in the project, the contractor 'KUZU-ALKATAS', Istanbul, Turkey, the joint proposal to the residents of Botun was to implement: relocation of the treated wastewater discharge point (approximately 1,5 kilometers north of the previously planned solution) in order to mitigate the impact of the effluent on the southern basin of the Morača River and significantly increase the green zone with an irrigation system... Expansion of the sewage network and wastewater drainage from the Botun area. Expansion of the sewage network for wastewater drainage from Cijevna... This proposal for project measures, presented by the President of the Municipality of Zeta and representatives of the Botun settlement on 3.2 and 4. 2. 2025, was not approved," says Mujović in his response.
He said that the proposal to relocate the collector "to the right bank of the Morača River owned by '13. July - Plantaža', in the immediate vicinity of the original location, was considered by a supervision letter," but that he received a negative opinion.
"Therefore, all possibilities for changing the location have been checked. The equipment being installed is known and tested through implementation in numerous facilities across Europe. There is no fear that it could be dangerous to the environment and the health of citizens," Mujović's response states.
What do we pay in the event of a construction suspension?
Councilor of the Turnaround Mirza Krnić I was interested in what documentation the Capital City officials used to announce that, if the construction of the collector does not begin by the end of the year, Podgorica would pay a "penalty" in the amount of 100 million euros.
He is the secretary of the Secretariat for Finance and Budget Analysis of the Capital City. Balša Spadijer replied that the project "Wastewater Collection and Treatment in Podgorica" is supported by the Western Balkans Investment Framework WBIF, as well as the German development bank KfW.
According to him, suspending construction at a time when a building permit is expected to be secured "causes a financial loss of an estimated value of over 100 million euros, without resolving the issue of wastewater from the project area."
"With the support and financing of KfW, the necessary feasibility studies were prepared and updated and two credit lines for the implementation of the project were concluded: 30 and five million. The following non-refundable GRANT funds were provided through WBIF: 1,1 million, 8,8 million and 22,9 million euros. The deadline for the availability of credit and GRANT funds is 31.12. 2025. In the event that the borrower cannot guarantee further implementation of the program and begins the execution of works due to untimely and inappropriate use of funds, the following claims are certain towards the Ministry of Finance of Montenegro, namely: claim for the entire amount of credit funds in the amount of 35 million euros from KfW, the German development bank, and termination of the availability of the entire amount of approximately 35 million euros from the WBIF GRANT lines. The concluded international FIDIC contract for works on the construction of a wastewater treatment system in Podgorica dated 10. 6. 2022 in the value of 47,3 million euros guarantees and defines compensation in favor of the contractor in case of delay from the competent authorities and institutions in the state”.
In his responses, Špadier points out that postponing the construction of the collector increases costs in accordance with the "sliding scale and official indices in the country."
Opposition interested in the company's work
Councilor of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Stefan Ćulafić I was wondering if the chief city architect was Duška Macic satisfied with the Spatial and Urban Plan (SUP) of Podgorica, which was adopted in mid-August at the electronic session of the Government of Montenegro.
She replied that the adoption of the document represented the "formal completion of the process."
"From an expert perspective, a number of questions and challenges remain that will likely require additional attention during the implementation phase, with particular emphasis on the direct implementation of this plan, but also through the preparation of lower-level planning documents," said Mačić.
His council colleague Adija Jakupović was interested in how the protest of the residents of Konik and Tuzi affects the work of the “Deponija”. The head of that company Aleksandar Božović He replied that if trucks cannot deliver waste continuously, “that constitutes an aggravating circumstance.” Councilor Mensur Send he was looking for answers to the question of how to deal with unpleasant odors from the city's "Landfill".
Božović responded that unpleasant odors are “a matter of personal experience” and that they are “difficult to assess.”
"Therefore, it is ungrateful to comment on them. In addition, it should be borne in mind that about 250 employees of the 'Deponija' spend eight hours a day in this area where they perform tasks within their jurisdiction without complaining about unpleasant odors."
Their colleague Mirjana Radulović she asked the deputy mayor Nadja Ljiljanić when will they fulfill their election promise that parents will receive 50 percent subsidies to pay for extended stays for students from the first to third grade of primary school in licensed institutions.
Ljiljanić responded that "a detailed analysis regarding this issue is currently being conducted between the Secretariat for Social Welfare and the Secretariat for Finance and Budget Analysis." but also that they will advocate that "subsidizing payments for extended stays be included in the budget for next year."
Member of the URA Civic Movement Milena Vuković she asked the director of Podgorica's "Putevi" Radoš Zečević how many new buses have been purchased "since the beginning of the mandate of this parliamentary majority".
Zečević, in his answers to her councilor's question, points out that eight buses were purchased last year, as well as two vans. He said that ten buses were purchased this year.
Legalization in Podgorica currently paralyzed
Councilor of the Party of European Progress (SEP) Ilija Mugoša asked the Acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development Gavrilo Vuković how the Capital City will facilitate the process of legalizing illegal buildings for citizens.
He emphasized that they had not yet received an aerial photogrammetric survey from the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property (MDUP), so they could neither adopt nor reject requests for the legalization of illegal structures.
Vuković, in his responses, points out that Article 6 of the Law on the Legalization of Illegal Objects stipulates that a object be legalized if, among other things, it is recorded on a satellite and aerial photogrammetric image.
"...If it is registered in the real estate cadastre. If it is not built on an area designated by a planning document for the construction of infrastructure and other facilities of general interest...".
When it comes to citizen requests submitted under the previous Law on Spatial Planning and Construction of Facilities, Vuković points out that the majority were rejected due to incomplete documentation.
“I love Podgorica” on Argentina Square and in front of the M-tel Hall
Head of the European Union Councilors' Club Miloš Mašković asked the Acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Entrepreneurship and Investments, Danijela Radeč, at which location two signs "I love Podgorica" will be placed, with metal 3D letters, worth 16.528 euros excluding value added tax (VAT).
The proposed locations, according to the answers Radeč submitted to Mašković, are Argentina Square, as well as the area in front of the M-tel Hall.
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