Residents of the two Kolašin villages, Rečina and Bare Kraljske, started to “defend” the rivers from the construction of small hydro power plants, although until recently they were satisfied with the cooperation of investors and the agreements reached.They cashed in their property really well, although the market price was around 50 cents. However, they did not talk about it at the protests, nor did they mention that they had already agreed with investors. Judging by the new situation, the locals want it both ways, Dnevne novine writes.
Investor in the small hydro power plant IN Skrbuša, Mr Slaven Burzanović, thinks that new protests are “pure politics”, and his opinion shares Mr Momčilo Miranović, owner of ‘Dekar’ Company.
“We did not go through expropriation, but individually, we agreed with the owners of the plots and bought all the private plots that were in that zone. Everything was bought in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement which was notarized. We paid for the plots as if we were on Sveti Stefan, €15 per square, because some locals insisted that they were sentimentally attached to the meadows. The market value is, by the way, 50 cents, “Mr Burzanović told DN.
There are around 200 owners.
“We have been negotiating with all of them for half a year, we have agreed, that is, we have made an agreement to build a road for them, some concrete bridges, to employ people … To do what no one in the history of that village has ever done for them. After the agreement, a vote was held within the local community where there were some 210 people who had the right to vote, 135 of whom people who voted for the agreement. That is how our offer was accepted and we started carrying out the works, without any riots or disturbances. We have completed approximately 70% of the construction work, and now the protectors of the rivers NGOs, political activists of the Democratic Front GP URA, Democrat MPs start to show up. People from Plav, Rozaje, Bar come to the protests to join them. We have not devastated the river or anything else at any moment, and the only thing left to say is that what is happening is really pure politics, “Mr Burzanović told DN.
DN interlocutor points out that some residents who are members of the aforementioned parties are asking for the new vote to annul the agreement. Their only objective, according to Mr Burzanović, is to stop the works until the new government is formed.
“We asked them what it has to do with us and our works. But we have ways to solve the problem through the courts, because we will certainly not get over this. So far, we have already spent €1.6 million for the purchase of the property, for construction works. We have not devastated the river. They are protesting against something that does not exist. So, this is pure politics and the powerlessness of the state, because the state is a signatory that guaranteed the construction. We sent an official invitation to the police administration, but they say that “they have no order” to solve it”, Mr Burzanović said.
Mr Burzanović stresses that Urban and technical requirements were obtained several years ago.
Mr Aleksandar Dozić, who was president of the Municipal Assembly of Kolašin at the time, signed the decision on the local study on the construction of Slatina small hydro power plant, but he has obviously forgotten it.
At the last session of the local parliament, Mr Dožić stood up and said that no small hydro power plant should be constricted in Montenegro.
Mr Momčilo Miranović says that residents of Bare Kraljske haven’t opposed the project for 10 years. On the contrary, they were grateful for everything he did.
He points out that these projects are absolutely “green” and should be endorsed by those who advocate for green policy in Europe. However, that’s not the case.
“I have invested huge money in these projects from which the locals would only benefit from. I complied with everything that was foreseen by the project, I bought the land from the locals (there was no expropriation), and until this year I had no problems with the residents. I am constantly present in this area. I offered the residents to pave the roads, to maintain them throughout the year, to build three concrete bridges. I also offered to hire four people who would be controllers if the power plant won’t work during the summer, taking into account their concern that they might not have water during that period”, Mr Miranović said.
He offered 70% of profit to the Municipality, 10% to the state and another 2% to the Municipality.
“President of the municipality, Mr Milosav Bato Bulatović, stated very clearly that the complete income that belongs to the municipality will be sent to Bare Kraljske LC, which would give them €70.000 per year on this basis, i.e. concessions. However, a small group of people did not even allow me to convene a meeting with the locals, and to invite me to explain everything to them, but they already had a negative attitude, despite the fact that there are many more people who do not agree with such an attitude. I think that the president of that local community, as well as his family, is the center from which this starts. I believe that politicians have a stake in this and that their actions are crucial. The residents did not complain when I made built to their properties. Then they were full of praise and blessing. The Vijesti concern played a negative role, encouraging citizens’ dissatisfaction. May that serve them in honor, if they have it at all, “said Mr Miranović.
Mr Duško Rakočević, expert in hydro energy, thinks this situation is totally ridiculous. He cited Berane as an example of the municipality which has many hydro power plants and great revenues from concessions.
“After 30 years, all these facilities become the property of the state. There is also ecological regulation of watercourses, which is implemented according to a specific program, we have infrastructure that was obtained directly from investors. There is also employment of people. These are great benefits concessionaires provide. There are also inspection services. They should go out on the field and get insight into the real situation. If something is wrong, they are free to suspend works. In my opinion, what is happening now is not normal”, Mr Rakočević says.
