Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić said today that the issue of remediation of the red mud pool at the Podgorica Aluminum Plant cannot be a topic that is postponed and that as the relevant minister, he will use all mechanisms to systematically resolve this issue.
"My proposal will be very concrete and implementable: that the Government adopt the information with clear and enforceable conclusions and recognize the need for urgent remediation, and task the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property, as well as the Ministry I lead, to jointly determine a concrete and feasible remediation model. This problem will not be solved by itself, it must be approached responsibly, with the full measure of political will," said Ćulafić in a statement submitted by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development.
He pointed out that red mud is one of the biggest environmental challenges in Montenegro, but also an example of how much delay and indecision can cost us.
"At the same time, it is also an indicator of the way in which the state has irresponsibly treated its resources in previous years. The Environmental Inspection has already taken all legally prescribed measures, five criminal charges have been filed, and a case has been opened in one of them. So, we are already working on resolving this challenge, but it is time to be even more specific," said Ćulafić.
He added that red mud is not the only problem we face, but it is one that requires perseverance and cooperation.
"The problem will not be solved overnight, of course, but it is important that no one ignores it anymore. Our task is to initiate the process, to lead it decisively and maturely, and to ensure that it does not stop until the final rehabilitation with a sustainable future for the site. Therefore, respecting all the results that we achieve on the normative level, I consider it crucially important that we make positive changes in the real living space. The remediation of the red mud basin is precisely in line with my planning and thinking," concluded Ćulafić.
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