Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović announced that sanctions will be imposed on anyone who prevented the canal that should lead the Mareza branch to the Morača from performing its function.
"Today I had a meeting with the Director of the Inspection Affairs Directorate, Mr. Branko Kovačević. We agreed to take uncompromising action, to punish all those who built illegal structures and who in any way endangered this Mares Canal," Mujović said today in Donja Gorica, where a temporary pontoon bridge was installed.
Video from the scene was posted by activist Aleksandar Dragićević.
Mujović said that there would be no selective treatment.
"All those who have occupied the territory of the canal and prevented the canal from performing its function will be sanctioned. They will be ordered to remove all those illegal structures and we must bring the canal into operation," he added.
"We have about two such locations, or two such 'plugs', where someone behaved very irresponsibly, along with all this other stuff, dumping waste... That is now a priority, that needs to be resolved," said the mayor of Podgorica.
Capital: We will not tolerate usurpation and endangerment of security
The capital announced that Mujović and Kovačević had begun a "decisive, comprehensive and uncompromising action" to remove all objects, materials and illegal interventions blocking the Mareza canal, "without exceptions and without selection."
"The acting inspector noted in the field that certain citizens and business entities had illegally usurped the canal leading from Mareza to Morača, into which rubble, soil and other construction and waste materials were dumped, which directly endangered its basic function," the statement reads.
They point out that the Mareze Canal plays a key role in the system for draining excess water during heavy rainfall, and that its passability is crucial for preventing floods, material damage, and endangering the safety of citizens.
Any obstacle on that waterway, they say, represents an immediate threat to public safety and as such will no longer be tolerated.
The capital says that this situation is the result of "long-term negligence and toleration of illegal actions," but that such practices have come to an end. The current city administration, they say, is determined to restore order, demonstrate the strength of institutions, and protect the public interest.
"At the same time as the field work, the Inspection Directorate issues decisions on sanctioning all identified responsible persons, in accordance with the law," they add.
They said that this is an extensive, technically and financially demanding job, which will be carried out until the entire length of the canal from Mareza to Morača is completely cleaned and its full functionality is ensured.
"All relevant city services will continue to work without interruption and at full capacity until this problem is resolved. The capital will not tolerate illegal usurpation of public property and irresponsible behavior that directly threatens the safety of citizens," the statement reads.
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