Zeta residents organized a protest today in the Botun area against the construction of a wastewater treatment plant.
Srpska resident Bojan Terzić said that citizens gathered at this location today to redirect the pressure they had been exerting through blockades in Podgorica in the previous days directly to the contractor and investor, after, as he stated, these protests did not lead to the authorities sitting at the negotiating table.
He said that in the previous days they had apologized to the citizens of Podgorica for the blockades, but that decision-makers had not shown a willingness for dialogue, which is why they decided to reduce tensions in the capital and continue the protests closer to the plot where the works were planned.
"We decided to direct the pressure towards the contractor, but also towards the director of Vodovod, the mayor of Podgorica and the president of the state, for whom the problems of Botun and Zeta are obviously not a priority," said Terzić.
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He said that responsibility for the current situation must be sought at the highest state and local levels, stating that they had previously received assurances that their demands were justified, but that there had been no concrete steps taken after that.
Terzić said that Prime Minister Milojko Spajić is not commenting on the situation in Botun, while he criticized Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović for, as he stated, a demonstration of force through infrastructure projects, assessing that the demolition of the stadium in Podgorica can be seen as an introduction to the implementation of the collector project in Botun.
"Alternative solutions existed, but it was a show of power. This sends the message that projects can be implemented without respecting the local community," he said.
Terzić emphasized that the protests are peaceful and will remain so, but that citizens' patience is running out, reminding that the gatherings also include older locals who have been coming to the protests for months.
"They announced riots, but there won't be any. Still, people are tired, there are those who have been coming here every day for two months and it is clear that the dissatisfaction is great," said Terzić.
He called on the authorities to remove the machinery and start talks with the locals, saying that dialogue is the only reasonable way to solve the problem. He also called on all residents of Zeta to join "peaceful and dignified protests."
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Asanović: The works are being carried out contrary to the law and the referendum will of the citizens of Zeta
The President of the Municipality of Zeta, Mihailo Asanović, said that works are being carried out on the territory of that municipality contrary to the law and the referendum will of the citizens, with, as he stated, the use of police, private security and "parapolice structures".
"The works are being carried out against the clearly expressed will of the citizens of Zeta, who voted 98 percent against it in a referendum," Asanović said.
He announced that a session of the Zeta Municipal Assembly will be held on Thursday, at which decisions based on the referendum will of the citizens will be considered, for which he expects the support of all councilors.
"It is legally binding for us that no work can be carried out on this plot, which, according to the Law on Territorial Organization, belongs to the Municipality of Zeta," said Asanović.
He said that they came today to address the company that was hired as a subcontractor, appealing to it to abandon the construction of the plant in Botun.
"We see that they cannot find a large number of companies to carry out the work and that only one company from Nikšić is currently engaged, which has been working in the field for days," Asanović said.
He recalled that before the New Year there was an agreement to stop the work, withdraw the police, and invite the citizens of Botun for talks.
"The work was then suspended, the police withdrew, but the citizens of Botun were never invited to official talks, while construction continued in the meantime," Asanović said.
He stated that the interviews with the locals were conducted selectively, emphasizing that individuals were invited individually, not as representatives of the community.
Asanović said that the Municipality of Zeta issued a statement yesterday that made serious allegations, stating that he expects a reaction from the competent institutions if those allegations are not true.
"Why did Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović and Police Directorate Director Lazar Šćepanović, in the presence of Chief of Staff Vesna Brajović and Head of the Podgorica Central Police Station Zoran Bašanović, hold talks with two citizens of Botun about the selection of subcontractors," Asanović asked.
He stated that these discussions were held with Boško Kažić and Bata Bećirović, assessing that it is unacceptable that, as he claims, subcontractors are being sought among the residents of Botun on behalf of the Turkish contractor and the company "Alkatraz Group".
"I believe that this is against the law. People from Botun cannot be expected to participate in works that they perceive as endangering their own lives and space," said Asanović.
He said that the decisions made by the Zeta Municipal Assembly on Thursday will be binding for the municipality and its citizens, but also for the state of Montenegro, if, as he said, the Zeta Municipality is to exist as a legal entity.
"After that, we will make further decisions together with the citizens of Botun," concluded Asanović.
When asked by a journalist whether this method of selecting subcontractors could be considered a form of corruption, Asanović replied that it could be called that.
He said that this could be called a type of corruption, especially because, according to him, the police director was present in the process.
"I call on the prosecution to investigate whether it is normal for a contractor in Montenegro, in this case a Turkish company, to receive subcontractors chosen by the mayor of Podgorica. I believe this is classic corruption and I expect the public to be informed about what Mr. Mujović proposed," Asanović said.
Zeta resident Boris Ćetković said that citizens are gathering solely to protect the health of their children and grandchildren, stating that they feel trapped due to the heavy police presence and blockades of access roads.
"We are not defending politics, but the right to a healthy environment. We are defending our homes, honor and reputation, while others, as we see, are defending money and interests," said Ćetković, adding that it was never clearly explained to the locals why the plant was planned in Botun.
He also recalled earlier statements by the mayor of Podgorica that a collector would not be built at that location, assessing that the locals had been misled.
Botun resident Slavko Vukčević recalled that citizens were gathering at this location for the first time since December 30, when the police removed them from the construction site ahead of the start of work.
"From this place, we want to send a message that we oppose the imposed and violent construction in our village," said Vukčević, emphasizing that he is encouraged by the unity that the residents of Zeta showed during the protest.
When asked by a journalist why the rehabilitation of the red mud pool had not begun despite announcements that the works would be carried out in parallel with the construction of the collector, Vukčević replied that, according to him, this was not the responsibility of the mayor, but of the Government of Montenegro.
The protest lasted from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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