Mayor Saša Mujović said that they exchanged views with the delegation of Botun residents, but that they did not find a compromise solution.
He said that the main idea of today's meeting was to show respect to the people of Botunja. He said that the atmosphere at the meeting was cultural and civilized.
"A very difficult and thankless situation. The situation is very clear and complicated for us. We have no way out. We have an obligation to start construction of the project by December 31st. Any relocation would mean designing new documentation. That takes time. Any relocation means changing the tender conditions," he said.
He said that it is not true that they do not want a connection to Zeta. He said that the Capital City is committed to not changing the purpose of the existing one in Podgorica for two years after the plant is commissioned in the municipality of Zeta.
"While the construction of the plant is ongoing and two years after it is put into operation, we do not have the right to shut down the collector at Krivi most. Around 50 jobs will be created for the residents of Botuni and the Zeta municipality... It is very important that the residents are involved in the entire process."
He said that after the plant is built, soil contamination measurements will be carried out.
"If any parameter indicates that there is damage to the environment, we will shut down the plant. We will also remediate the red mud pool... It has also been agreed that the contract will be available to all parties starting next week. If there are corrupt activities, those responsible for it should be held accountable. I hope everything is in order and regular. We will open the contract."
Mujović said that he would work to make the company a joint venture.
"These are the things that the Capital offers. We are ready to respect the strictest environmental standards. We agree to absolutely everything, just so that this plant can start operating," said Mujović, adding that he understands that there is distrust.
He said he was ready to find a legally viable solution. Mujović also claims that the equipment being installed in the plant is "from reputable manufacturers."
"I understand their suffering. I would like us to show a measure of understanding."
Mujović said that the mine in Mojkovac is mentioned very often. He added that he is proud that people are saying "no to the mine in that town."
"There really is no joking around or compromising with the health of citizens."
The mayor said that the collector is a project of national importance.
He told a reporter from "Vijesti" that he waited from January to June for a solution to be found.
"We received a response on June 5th from our partners that we don't have time to wait, and that the deadline is December 31st. Some things happened that didn't go my way if I talked to the locals of Botuni earlier."
He said that political passions had been stirred, and that it was distasteful to go to "people and ask them to trust you."
"That's why I didn't go to Botun earlier. These are cultured and emancipated people... The problem is the red mud pool," he said.
He said he could not say when the collector in Botun would be built, and that procedures must be followed. He said he did not think the tent would be removed tomorrow.
"You are causing us the least problems with the tent. It is questionable that we cannot find a common language. A referendum is a democratic matter. You must know that it is something that is not binding," said Mujović.
Stijepović: The mayor's offer is not new, there is nothing good in it
Botun resident Duško Stijepović said that they do not represent just that village, but the entire municipality.
"I think we had a fair conversation. That we didn't have similar positions. Our position is firm, clear and unambiguous. We know that this has to come at a cost. We will not give in," he said, adding that "they have a situation where they have to choose between people's health and money."
He said that they have doubts about the entire study and emphasized that everyone knows that incinerators are deadly to human health.
He said that the mayor's offer "is not new, nor is there anything good in it."
"We do not accept the mayor's proposal. For us, it is not a serious offer. We have offered an alternative location. We are ready to take a step back to meet the people."
He said they have been living in polluted locations for a long time.
"I guess it's time to fix that."
Another Botun resident, Slavko Vukčević, said that Mujović had made unfulfillable promises. He said that they were bothered by the fact that Mujović had not told the media about the everyday problems of the Botun people. He said that they could start by force, and that they would find an answer.
A delegation of Botun residents was optimistic that an agreement would be reached today regarding the planned construction of a wastewater treatment plant in that Zeta settlement.
Botun resident Milan Ćetković said that the meeting passed peacefully.
"The mayor is calm, we were surprised. I had to leave earlier. We are against the construction of the collector, regardless of where the machines come from. We will not allow them to operate the plant. I asked Mujović to give up on removing the tents and bringing the machines until the referendum," said Ćetković.
He said that the people of Botunja will not allow the construction of the plant, adding that Mujović listened to all proposals. He also said that they offered a location near the Luča bridge, but that the mayor did not respond to that.
According to information from "Vijesti", the meeting is scheduled for 15 p.m.
While the capital city reiterates that work will begin soon in Botun, locals say that "at the cost of their lives, they will not allow a new polluter."
To express their disagreement, they have been on duty for days in a tent across from the plot of land where the plant is planned to be built.
On Friday last week, they received an order to remove the tent within three working days. However, the people of Botunja announced that they would not do so.
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