Prime Minister Dritan Abazović said that he thinks that he and the Minister of Ecology, Ana Novaković Đurović, are in the right place today, but that it is not clear to him why there is a protest, because this Government will not allow a significant collapse of the environment.
He said this after the representative of the Citizens' Initiative (GI) Save the Komarnica Miljko Gigo Bulajić, who welcomed him, asked him why they had come today and asked for specific answers.
Abazović and Novaković-Đurović visited Potprisoje to talk with environmental activists who are organizing a four-day protest camp for the preservation of the Komarnica River.
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Abazović said that the Government in its technical mandate should not make decisions like the previous one, related to Komarnica.
"The space must not be collapsed in any way, there are alternative solutions that are much more acceptable than the construction of a hydroelectric power plant," he said.
He pointed out that Montenegro must go in the direction of building energy facilities, because the country must not be led into energy dependence.
"If someone thinks that we will not build, but that we will be constantly dependent on energy, I personally am not in favor of that... I am not in favor of projects that damage the environment, and I am not in favor of projects like Možura, which is followed by a corruption scandal," he said.
Bulajić replied that the activists organized the protest and that they will be here until they receive concrete promises that the project will not be built.
"I am not in favor of building a mosquito net that would lead to the destruction of the environment to a significant extent," he said, adding that without an environmental report he cannot give an answer, but that he thinks there would be more harm than good.
He told the activists that he does not think differently from them.
Nina Pantović from GI Sačuvajmo Komarnica said that the damage would be much greater than the gain.
"It's like throwing away the most valuable thing to wade through the mud," she said.
Bujalić told the prime minister and the minister that he would defend Komarnica and that in the previous days they had discussed the development of the village next to Komarnica.
"We have a concrete goal and plan and we will do it. Whether you are there or not. You, as a representative of the Greens, must be on our side," said Bulajić.
Abazović replied that even by coming he showed that he is on the side of activists, and that his goal is to brand Montenegro as an ecological country.
Novaković Đurović said that she was glad that she met with the activists today.
"Coming here today is in the direction of opening a dialogue with activists," she said, adding that she expects cooperation with the non-governmental sector.
"Regarding this specific issue, we will review and request for inspection the decisions made by the previous government, which made the decision to grant concessions without public announcement," she said.
Any project that implies a negative impact on the environment will not be acceptable, she said.
"This is a complex issue and there are conflicting views. I invite you to be broad and listen to everyone," she said.
Bulajić replied that even during the camp they had representatives of those who think differently.
When asked by Bulajić that the representatives of the Government should give them a deadline when they will receive a final answer, Novaković - Đurović said that it was a matter of days.
Abazović answered the activists that so far they have kept their promises, especially for the protection of Sinjajevina and stopping the construction of small hydroelectric plants.
Andrijana Mićanović from GI Spasimo Komarnica, told them that in the conclusion of the report it was written that the construction of HPP Komarnica would irreversibly destroy the animal world.
Abazović said that this is correct, but that he cannot make decisions before the report is signed.
"If the land is emptied, we will be able to boast of natural beauties, but someone else will use them... The citizens of Montenegro must feel the benefits of their land," he said, adding that the displacement of villages must not be allowed.
Brezan resident Božo Todorović, who supports the construction of HPP Komarnica, said that in this way the local population would receive a "satiable crust of bread".
Todorović explained that with the construction of the HPP on the Komarnica River, they would get a unique phenomenon - an invisible lake, which would be a unique tourist offer along with the Nevidio Canyon.
Bulajić told him that they don't want an invisible lake, but Brezna where young people will live.
A younger resident said that this area has enormous potential, but that everything is devastated.
"Our schools are closing, it's a big problem, and you only come before the elections," said local resident Vasilije Todorović.
Abazović replied that if someone had a magic wand and could solve everything immediately, he would not bother him.
Abazović also said that he did not come before the elections, but on a non-working day, right at the beginning of his mandate.
"No criticism bothers me, but the people who criticize the most are those who do nothing... Everything that was said and that could have been finished in a year has been finished," he said.
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