Speaking about the opposition protests that have been going on for almost two months due to the election dispute, the Mayor of Šavnik, Jugoslav Jakić, said on TV Vijesti's Boje jutra that he respects the right to peaceful assembly, but believes that this form of expressing dissatisfaction is most damaging to citizens and the municipality's tourist image.
"I have not spoken to the protest organizers because the demands they are making are addressed to the Government and other state bodies, not to the local administration," said Jakić, adding that the local government is functioning at full capacity despite the blockade of the electoral process.
The opposition in Šavnik, in protest against the re-election of Jakić (DPS) as mayor of the municipality and the unresolved election crisis that has been going on since October 2022, has been intermittently blocking the Šavnik - Žabljak road since February 27.
The opposition demands that representatives of the legislative and executive branches of government in the country react and resolve the Šavnik crisis, which has been ongoing since the 2022 local elections, which have not yet been completed.
They previously wrote letters to the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, the Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, and the Speaker of the Parliament, Andrija Mandić, asking them to organize a joint meeting to try to find a way out of the crisis, but the meeting has not yet taken place.
According to Jakić, tourism in Šavnik is on the rise.
Attendance increased by 30 percent compared to previous years, and the Tourist Organization received a budget three times larger than before.
"Numerous concerts and cultural events will be organized this summer. I understand the criticism from citizens that there was less content in previous seasons, but this year we are preparing a rich program," Jakić said in Boje jutra.
One of the biggest obstacles to development, according to him, is planning documentation that has not been updated for more than 15 years.
"This is blocking us from implementing projects in tourism, construction and investments. We have initiated the development of new documentation and this will be a priority in the coming period," said Jakić.
The plan is to pave ten kilometers of local roads, build a promenade, a water supply system, and a new residential building in Šavnik.
Water supply and settlements in trouble
Jakić singled out water supply problems in Bukovica and Petnica as particularly sensitive points.
He says that projects were previously run by state institutions, but local authorities are ready to help as much as they can.
"We are working to resolve water supply issues in the most vulnerable areas, because it is a basic need of every household," he said.
Accommodation capacities and investor interest
Šavnik, although increasingly attractive to tourists, is facing a lack of accommodation capacity.
However, Jakić states that there is great interest from investors in building hotels, restaurants and ethno-villages.
"They are waiting for new planning documentation. When we resolve that, we will have concrete investments," he adds.
Komarnica Hydroelectric Power Plant: Potential under conditions
When asked about the construction of the Komarnica hydroelectric power plant, Jakić says that the project can have significant economic benefits, but only if all environmental standards are met.
"We will not make any decisions until all environmental effects are determined. We must be responsible for the space we have," he stressed.
Finally, the Mayor of Šavnik Municipality emphasizes the importance of the initiative to build the Semolj tunnel, which would connect the municipality with the rest of Montenegro and open the door to greater tourist traffic.
"In cooperation with neighboring municipalities, we have launched an initiative and I believe that the Government will recognize this as a strategically important issue for the entire north," concluded Jakić.
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