The European Union Delegation to Montenegro announced yesterday that claims that the wastewater treatment plant in Botun poses a threat to public health or is based on outdated technology are unfounded, but the people of Botun say that they "no longer trust anyone's word."
"Until we see the project and study it, as well as the supporting technology for the plant, which includes an incinerator, we cannot believe that it is safe. We have not seen that yet, although we have been promised it many times," the people of Botunja told a "Vijesti" journalist yesterday.
The Delegation announced yesterday that "the project envisages a modern and safe facility."
“...Fully compliant with EU standards. Thousands of such plants are operating successfully across the European Union and beyond, improving environmental protection and safeguarding community health. EU taxpayers have provided €33 million in grants for this project, helping Montenegro meet its obligations under Chapter 27 of the Negotiations, while protecting the health of citizens and the environment. Far from being a polluter, the plant provides a key solution to the long-standing problem of untreated wastewater for around 150.000 citizens, which pollutes the Morača River, the Zeta Valley, the Skadar Lake area and the Adriatic Sea,” the EU Delegation said in response to questions from “Vijesti”.
They called on all stakeholders, including local authorities and public officials, to refrain from spreading false claims regarding the EU-funded wastewater treatment plant project in Podgorica.
"The claims that this plant poses a threat to public health or is based on outdated technology are completely unfounded. The project envisages a modern and safe plant, fully compliant with EU standards. Thousands of such plants are operating successfully across the European Union and beyond, improving environmental protection and safeguarding community health," the EU Delegation said.
President of the Municipality of Zeta Mihailo Asanović, and professors-consultants hired by the municipality, claimed that the EU was funding outdated technology in Botun, and that the incinerators were huge polluters.
The EU Delegation emphasized that the real environmental threat in the Zeta municipality continues to be the red mud pool and that they fully support citizens' demands for an urgent resolution of this issue.
"We call on the relevant national and local authorities to prioritize a rapid and sustainable solution to this major environmental problem," the EU Delegation said.
The people of Botunja, however, yesterday reiterated that the Capital should look for another location for the plant. Slavko Vukcevic has questioned the conflicting information provided by former and current mayors Ivan Vuković and Saša Mujović about the possible financial consequences for Podgorica.
Miroslav Brajović appealed again to Mujović and the Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to allow a referendum "with the angels", scheduled for December 14th, after which negotiations can continue.
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