Works have begun on the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, one of the most important infrastructure and environmental projects in the history of the city and the largest single environmental investment implemented with the support of the European Union, announced the Wastewater Collection and Treatment Plant Podgorica.
The statement reminds that the start of work represents a legal and contractual obligation of the Capital City and the state, and not a matter of political will or choice.
"The project is fully contracted, financed and has all the necessary permits and approvals in accordance with domestic and European legislation. Any cancellation or delay would mean a violation of the law, the loss of the largest environmental grant the European Union has ever awarded to Montenegro, as well as multi-million-euro penalties and, most importantly, the continued discharge of faeces from around 150.000 people, which, without adequate treatment, end up in the Morača River, Lake Skadar and the Adriatic Sea every day," it states.
The Podgorica Wastewater Company indicated that, in accordance with the planned dynamics, the start of work first involves arranging a protective green belt around the future plant.
"In the first phase, 50 tree seedlings will be planted and five ecological benches will be installed, further confirming the commitment to the project, which must be in line with the principles of protecting the space and the quality of life of the local community," it was announced.
They emphasize that the Capital understands the concerns of some citizens and the emotional charge that accompanies the start of the works, but at the same time reminds that the right to peaceful assembly cannot imply the blockade of works, physical prevention of the performance of legal obligations, or endangering the safety of people and property.
"The police do not have the discretion to choose whether to enforce the law, they do not act on political orders, nor in favor of or against any party, but have a constitutional obligation to ensure public order and peace and the enforcement of the law," the statement emphasizes.
DON'T MISS IT
Wastewater says that the wastewater treatment plant is not a risk, but a cure, a proven and reliable mechanism for solving wastewater issues in Europe and the world.
"In the next ten years, around 30 such facilities will be built and put into operation throughout Montenegro, as this is the standard for health and environmental protection in modern European countries. The European Union does not invest tens of millions of euros in projects that poison people, but exclusively in projects that protect the health of citizens and natural resources.
"We particularly emphasize that the WWTP project does not in any way endanger the health of the residents of Botun, but rather represents a key remedy for serious health and environmental problems to which they have been most exposed for decades. The capital and the Government of Montenegro remain firmly determined to implement all guarantees recently given to the residents of Botun, including the urgent and complete rehabilitation of the red mud basin, a real and proven source of pollution," the statement reads.
This is not a fight against Botun, but for the health of Botun, Podgorica and all of Montenegro, says Wastewater.
"Without the plant, there is no clean Morača. Without a clean Morača, there is no healthy Skadar Lake. Without that, there is no quality of life and preservation of our environment and health," the statement concludes.
Bonus video:
