The Minister of Energy and Mining Saša Mujović said that the Government of Montenegro has no right to be arrogant in ignoring the opinions of activists and citizens of Mojkovac when it comes to the Brskovo mine.
Mujović spoke in the morning program of TV Vijesti about the attitude of the new government.
"If I've learned something during my academic career, it's that we have to respect and respect each other. Even if that project is the best in the world, if there is so much opposition and conflicting opinions and the advocacy of a part of the public through the environmental sector and the activities of the citizens of Mojkovac who are against it project, then we as the government have no right to that arrogance to ignore those opinions, but we have to put our finger on the check and ask them what the problem is and how to solve it," Mujović said.
He points out that it is good for Montenegro to work, to have as many foreign investors and factories as possible, but not at any price.
"If the price of opening a mine in Mojkovac is the degradation of health and the degradation of the environment, then I am absolutely against it. I will listen to both sides, we have the wishes of the investor to talk to the Government, we will also listen to the proposals of activists, citizens... to bring their views closer together if possible and we will start implementing the project only if all parties are satisfied", said the minister.
The director of the coal mine has no reason to celebrate, he has great challenges ahead of him
The Pljevlja coal mine (RUP) got a new director yesterday, Mihail Potpara from the Democrats, which is why a protest was organized, and those gathered demanded that the director be Milan Lekić. The President of the Municipality of Pljevlja, Dario Vraneš, said that he trusts that the Ministry will form a new board, and then elect a new director.
Mujović says that he is glad that the director election process is over, because he wants RUP to come into the public's focus due to its results, and that he has no preference as to who will be the head of RUP.
"I'm not interested in whether someone's name is this or that, whether he belongs to one or another political group, I'm interested in the results. I would like to order that the euphoria be calmed down and that the one who was elected director has no great reason to celebrate because the challenges are great, and the Ministry will ask for results," said Mujović.
He said that he would raise questions about moving the bed of the ijehotina, which should have already been done, paying off the new machinery, but also solving the problem of surplus employees in the RUP.
"I am not against new employment, but the limit is known," said Mujović.
He also said that he was struck by the statements of the leaders of political parties that Podgorica has come again and will steal something from Pljevlja.
"This Government will have a level of sensitivity for all cities. Official Podgorica will strive to return to Pljevlja what belongs to them".
Make TE work as long as possible
When asked how he looks at what the political parties add and subtract, they look at how much support they will receive and in the end they choose the one with the most votes according to their agreement, Mujović answers:
"I see it as a road to ruin. And as long as we have such awareness and logic, our level and chances for prosperity are significantly reduced. We must turn to the best staff and look at the results as the only reference," said the minister.
Mujović believes that it is necessary to ensure that the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant operates as long as possible, but that it will not be easy.
"The TE is the dry gold of Montenegro. There is no energy facility that is so important for the stability and functioning of the electric power system of Montenegro. The TE is in the process of ecological reconstruction and the idea is to extend its life. We must fight to keep everything running as long as possible until we create a stable source of energy that will allow that 40-50 percent to be replaced. It will not be easy".
He added that Montenegro has opted for the European path, that it must go towards the fulfillment of its goals, but that it is a long way.
"With this dynamic we are going with, with the work of the TE, those goals until 2030 are impossible. But the European energy community is not a bad policeman who will punish us, but it is important that we show readiness and move towards the goal," the minister said.
He said that TE should operate as long as it is profitable.
"TE produces cheap electricity, but according to EU directives, it is taxed with CO2 taxes", but, the minister explains, those taxes will increase.
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