The World Bank, after lengthy but successful negotiations in accordance with national and World Bank procedures, approved a loan of 40 million euros to Montenegro to improve the waste management system and improve the quality of life of citizens, said the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić.
He said that through this project, a Regional Waste Management Center will be built in Nikšić, which will provide modern waste treatment, recycling and composting for several municipalities.
"This will significantly reduce reliance on landfilling and create conditions for increasing recycling rates," Ćulafić said in a statement to the media.
He said that it is particularly important that the project also includes the remediation of approximately 11 hectares of contaminated land at the former location of the Aluminum Plant (KAP) in Zeta, thus beginning a systematic solution to a decades-old environmental problem and reducing risks to the health of citizens and the environment.
Ćulafić said that this is an important development step that begins a new phase of comprehensive modernization of the waste sector, in accordance with European Union (EU) standards.
"Considering the general current state of equipment in local utility companies in Montenegro, it is important that one of the project components also relates to the procurement of equipment for utility companies, so that local services have the capacity to respond to modern waste management requirements," said Ćulafić.
He assessed that they are thereby demonstrating responsibility and a clear commitment to directing loan funds into long-term and sustainable solutions, and not into temporary measures that do not bring about substantial changes in the environment.
Ćulafić recalled that the amendments to the State Waste Management Plan excluded the possibility of future disposal of hazardous waste in the KAP zone, which, according to him, they took a concrete and decisive step towards improving the environment in Zeta.
"The ban on waste disposal at that location, along with the remediation of the existing landfill, means that we are permanently solving this inherited problem, which is the result of absolute negligence for the environment and thus for health," said Ćulafić.
He thanked international partners for their support.
"With fewer internal obstructions and artificially produced problems, and with more such initiatives and projects, Chapter 27 - Environmental Protection and Climate Change will also gain its external positive contours," concluded Ćulafić.
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