Nišavić: I have no information that my dismissal is being considered at all

The director of Podgorica's Waterworks, Aleksandar Nišavić, said that he has no information that his dismissal is being considered at all.

Speaking on Boje jutra on Vijesti TV, he said that work on the plant in Botun is proceeding according to plan, and that he expects the investment of 5 million euros to help reduce tensions among locals.

Speaking about water supply, he warned that problems during the summer are a result of increased consumption, illegal connections and irrational use, which is why increased controls and cooperation with inspections are being announced.

Commenting on the Velje Brdo project, Nišavić said that the results of hydrological research, which are expected in 14 months, will be awaited before making decisions about construction and the possible impact on the Mareza spring.

The director of "Vodovod" also announced that citizens and businesses owe almost four million euros for water.

"We have certain claims that are difficult to collect because we have certain companies in bankruptcy, certain individuals who do not fulfill their obligations adequately, that is, do not transfer their property after the death of the owner. We have a large number of lawsuits, over 3 million euros of this debt has been sued. So, it is simply necessary to obtain all the data and to update, so to speak, the database so that we can carry out the procedure to the end. In general, the debt is protected and we hope it will be collected," said Nišavić.

Illegal watering of tobacco threatens water supply in Lješanska nahija, case reported to competent inspections

Works on the construction of the water supply network for villages in the Gornja Lješanska nahija have not been suspended, but are being implemented in phases in accordance with the planned dynamics, said Nišavić.

Nišavić said that this is a complex project that is being carried out in several stages due to the demanding terrain and the fact that this part of the Lješanska nahija has not had an organized water supply system until now.

"Last year, we implemented the first phase of the project, which included the construction of about 800 meters of water supply network. We are currently completing the second phase, during which an additional 600 meters of pipeline were built, while a tender for the third phase is being prepared," said Nišavić.

According to him, the third phase involves connecting the primary pipeline from the source to the reservoirs from which households will be gravity supplied.

"There are no delays in the implementation of the project. The contractor is working longer than scheduled working hours so that the work can be completed as soon as possible and so that citizens have as few traffic problems as possible, because part of the route is located along narrow local roads," he said.

Nišavić expects the third phase to be implemented this year, followed by the construction of a secondary network.

"I hope that by the end of next year we will have the project completed and that citizens will finally get water," said Nišavić.

Speaking about problems with water supply and restrictions in other parts of the Lješanska nahija during the summer months, Nišavić pointed out that, in addition to drought, a significant problem is the illegal use of water for irrigation of tobacco plantations.

As he stated, at the beginning of the month, the Water Company informed the competent inspectorates and the Ministry of Agriculture about possible abuses in order to take preventive action before the start of the summer season.

"We have information that the plantations have already been established and we want to react in a timely manner. The goal is to solve the problem in the production phase, and not later when there is a water shortage," said Nišavić.

He added that a meeting was held with representatives of the agricultural inspection, which is seeking a model for more efficient handling of such cases.

"This is a problem that has been neglected for years. It is necessary to define clear procedures and responsibilities in order to sanction illegal consumption," said the director of Podgorica's Waterworks.

Nišavić called on citizens to report illegal connections and misuse of water, emphasizing that the system's capacities were not designed for additional, unintended consumption.