The Podgorica-based company "Deponija" took out a loan in the amount of 880.000 euros for the purchase of a tire processing plant.
This will solve the long-standing problem of Podgorica, but also of Montenegro, with waste tires being burned, especially in illegal landfills in certain urban and suburban settlements.
Director of “Deponija” Aleksandar Božović He told "Vijesti" that the facility, worth 880.000 euros excluding value added tax (VAT), was purchased "through a short-term loan, which was approved within the credit limit of the Capital City."
"Therefore, we were not obliged to seek the consent of the Capital City Assembly, but we certainly informed the Mayor's Office about this assignment." Saša Mujović and the Secretariat for Finance and Budget of the Capital City”.
This was confirmed to "Vijesti" by the Secretariat for Financial Affairs and Budget Analysis, which is headed by Balša Spadijer.
"Considering Articles 50 and 45, paragraph 2 of the Law on Financing Local Self-Government, the company 'Deponija' had no obligation, or rather there is no legal basis for the Assembly of the Capital City to give prior consent to the short-term borrowing of this company, except when it comes to long-term loans, which is not the case in this example," they said.
Many citizens and environmental activists welcomed the move by the city's "Landfill" to finally solve the problem of waste tires.
The reckless disposal of tires, especially in illegal landfills, is a long-standing problem that has plagued Podgorica, but also other, especially surrounding municipalities. As previously reported several times, this represents an environmental challenge because it pollutes both the air and soil, but also increases the risk of fire...
According to Božović, Podgorica's "Deponija" is "the leader in activities to solve the decades-long national problem of stored, waste tires."
"Between 1.500 and 2.000 tons of this type of waste is located within the premises of our company, and it is suspected that a similar or larger amount has been disposed of in nature. A specialized machine for treating tires arrived last week," said Božović, adding that the company "will also have the capacity to export tires."
He said that the loan in the amount of 880.000 euros will be repaid over the course of a year, "in four quarterly installments according to the repayment plan."
"This modern machine, with a capacity of five to ten tons per hour, enables efficient and environmentally friendly shredding of waste tires, which significantly reduces their volume and facilitates their further disposal or recycling. This will, in accordance with our capabilities, ensure permanent and proper disposal of tires, prevent their illegal disposal and burning, which endangers the health of citizens," explained Božović.
Responding to a question from "Vijesti" whether "Deponija" will acquire new machines, Božović said that it will do so "from its own funds, which they plan in accordance with planned revenues."
"With the support of the Capital City, in the past two years, the machinery has been modernized and renovated, which has contributed to the expansion of business activities, the taking on of new activities, as well as a positive impact on the productivity and efficiency of the work process."
According to the Work Report, “Deponija” ended last year with a profit of almost one and a half million euros. According to the document, total revenues amounted to almost eight million, and the company's expenses were slightly more than six million euros.
As stated in the work document for last year, "Deponija"'s revenues from the disposal of municipal waste for legal entities amounted to more than 4,2 million euros.
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