The capital city could pay potential damages of around 177 million euros if the wastewater treatment plant is not built at the currently planned location.
This was said by the Mayor of Podgorica, Saša Mujović, today during a meeting with the residents of Botuni in the Capital City building.
According to unofficial information from "Vijesti", Mujović said that the relocation of the plant could result in a lawsuit from the second-ranked bidder in the tender, whose bid was 97 million euros.
He also explained that if we add to this the loss of a European grant of 33 million euros and the claim of a Turkish company for delivered equipment in the amount of 47 million euros, we arrive at a potential damage for the Capital of around 177 million euros.
According to sources at "Vijesti", he also specified that the entire process would take at least two to three years, and that includes - a new location, the procedure for obtaining documentation: geotechnical soil testing, soil contamination, and an assessment of the plant's impact on the environment.
DON'T MISS IT
Mujović also presented an offer to the locals in the event that construction of the plant in Botun begins.
According to information from "Vijesti", this offer includes:
- Connection of households in Upper Zeta to the system. 30 percent of the total number of sewage connections in the entire Zeta will be connected to this system, which implies an investment by the Capital City of around 12 million euros. The Capital City will take over the maintenance of this network, and when the municipality of Zeta forms its own Waterworks, they will charge these users for maintenance (although Waterworks Podgorica essentially maintains and processes them).
- The capital city is committed to ensuring that within two years of the commissioning of the new plant, there will be no unpleasant odors in the settlements of the Krivi Most area and in lower Zeta. We support this with the fact that the wastewater used is currently at a third-tier standard compared to the standard prescribed by the EU - these standards will be met in Botun, and they are the best standards for plants in the region.
- Priority in hiring employees (about 50 new jobs) will be given to residents of Botun, that is, citizens of Zeta.
- Representatives delegated by the municipality of Zeta will be involved in the entire process of building the plant. We guarantee them positions in the implementation unit and the supervisory committee during the project implementation.
- After the construction of the plant, measurements of water quality, air quality and potential soil contamination will be carried out. These measurements will be repeated after six months of operation. If it turns out that any of the parameters are not in accordance with European standards, we are obliged to suspend the operation of the plant.
- The rehabilitation of the red mud basin is underway. The government has allocated 32 million euros in the 2026 budget.
- After discussions with the Contractor, it was agreed that the Contract would be available to all interested parties from the middle of next week (to the extent that it does not violate the Contractor's intellectual property rights).
- Organizational model of the Plant - to form a new Wastewater Company Podgorica and carry out activities regarding profit sharing? This is a legal issue and requires additional consideration. We are ready for dialogue on this issue as well," reads the offer that Mujović presented today during a meeting with the residents of Botuni.
Bonus video:
