Ćulafić: The operation of the collector will be suspended if the emission of harmful gases exceeds the limits; Mujović: We cannot relocate the facility, but we can discuss everything else

It is recommended that the Capital City of Podgorica should immediately suspend the operation of the wastewater treatment system if measurements of harmful gas emissions show that their levels exceed the limits prescribed by directives, and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development is tasked to initiate, without delay and in cooperation with international partners, the remediation process of the red mud basin in Botun, as well as the hazardous waste landfill in the Aluminium Plant zone, said Minister Damjan Ćulafić at a press conference following the Government session.

He said that these conclusions were adopted unanimously.

According to him, his Ministry is tasked, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency, to continuously monitor the level of harmful gas emissions potentially produced by the wastewater treatment plant in Botun.

- It is recommended that the Capital City won't put the wastewater treatment system into operation until the red mud basin, that is the hazardous waste landfill, is remediated - Ćulafić stated.

He added that the Ministry of Ecology is required to prepare amendments to the state waste management plan for 2025–2029, removing the provisions that allow hazardous waste to be temporarily stored within the Aluminium Plant complex.

- It is recommended that the Capital City build a sewage network and enable connection to the collector for around 30% of the population of Zeta, specifically the Upper Zeta area, and that the maintenance of the sewage network be carried out by the Podgorica Waterworks until a utility company is formed in Zeta. This is an investment worth 13 million euros - said Ćulafić.

He also stated that Podgorica is required to keep the existing wastewater treatment plant operational, or at least available, for a minimum of two years after the facility in Botun is put into operation.

- It is recommended that residents of Botun, that is, citizens of Zeta, be given priority in hiring at the new facility. It is also recommended that the Capital City appoint a representative from the Municipality of Zeta as the chair of the management board - Ćulafić said.

The Capital City is also advised to initiate talks with the Municipality of Zeta to establish joint ownership over the facility.

- It is recommended that, during the construction phase, the local community of Botun have a representative in the supervisory body. The Capital City agrees with all the conclusions - Ćulafić stated.

Mayor od Podgorica Saša Mujović said that the construction of the wastewater treatment plant is a municipal problem, but also one of the largest national challenges with significant destructive potential.

- With the delays and failure to build this facility, I believe our credibility before European partners comes into serious question. The question arises: What kind of country are we, receiving donations for this project since 2016, yet unable to begin and complete the process for ten years - Mujović highlighted.

According to him, Montenegro is striving to join the European Union, doing everything to become part of that community, yet we hear arguments suggesting that Montenegro denies what already exists in the EU, claiming that we know better.

- This technology exists in all European countries. The manufacturers of parts for this facility, the factories, are not from underdeveloped countries, they are predominantly from Germany. So we find ourselves in conflict between our desire to join the EU and our rejection of European standards whenever they don't seem to suit us - Mujović assessed.

He added that jokingly we could perhaps say that we should adopt a conclusion that Montenegro withdraws from EU integration and instead asks the EU to join Montenegro.

- This facility has also created a major potential problem, that is the dissatisfaction of the residents of Botun. We are in a difficult position because undesirable consequences and unrest are possible, which we absolutely want to avoid - Mujović said.

He explained that he had several meetings with the residents of Botun since the beginning of the year.

- Their stance in all these meetings was firm and clear – there should be no construction of the facility in Botun. The first reason is distrust. Every time we claim that this facility will contribute to environmental protection, they respond that similar promises were made when the Aluminium Plant began operating, yet it caused so much destruction that they still haven't recovered. Their distrust is completely understandable. On the other hand, a certain level of defiance has also appeared. Their attitude is: „When you were supposed to consult us, you ignored us, and now you want to build, and we want to show that you cannot treat us that way“. And that is legitimate and deserving of respect - Mujović said.

He added that mistakes were also made regarding inadequate presentation of the environmental impact study, noting that the first version was poorly written.

- There were many open questions that were not communicated properly with the citizens - Mujović said.

He believes that in the final stage certain irrational statements emerged, such as claims that if the collector is built in Botun, it would be like Chernobyl, but if it’s built 500 meters away then it’s environmentally acceptable.

- We cannot function like that. If you know where Chernobyl was located and that its consequences were felt even in distant Montenegro – that implies it was a polluter. This reasoning cannot be based in rationality - Mujović said.

He emphasized that the location of the facility cannot be changed, and that doing so would require completely new documentation.

- It would take at least two to three years to do that - Muhović added.

He rejected claims that the technology is outdated.

- Such facilities exist in central Berlin, Frankfurt, Bochum, Stuttgart, made by the same manufacturers – highlighted Mujović.

The equipment for this facility began production in 2023.

The contract, he said, will be made public, but until now it could not be disclosed because consent from the third party - the Turkish company building the collector - was required. Without that consent, they risked a lawsuit.

- We cannot allow them to withdraw from the contract, as it would cost us 47 million euros, which is why the contract was not disclosed earlier - Mujović explained.

He added that if the emission limits are reached, they will shut the facility down, noting that it has been scientifically proven that the collector emits harmful gases equivalent to six trucks.

- I am confident in saying this because I know what filters and protection systems will be implemented - Mujović said.

He noted that he could leave the city and the country, but not his own conscience.

- If I know I am going to destroy someone, how could I live with that – Mujović asked.

He emphasized that the plant will not begin operating until the main environmental issue in Zeta, the red mud basin and hazardous waste, is resolved.

- There will be no disposal of hazardous waste. The sewage problem for 30% of Zeta’s territory will be resolved. There will be 50 new jobs. Some may call that discrimination, I consider it affirmative action. If we do harm to Botun, we also harm Podgorica - that makes no sense - Mujović stated.

The director of the city company Waterworks and Sewerage Aleksandar Nišavić said that citizens have no reason to fear that this project could negatively affect their health.

Strengthened proposal

When asked about the dissatisfaction of the residents of Botun regarding these conclusions, Mujović said that the conclusions adopted today are a significantly modified and strengthened version of what was previously offered, because clear and firm guarantees have now been given.

- That means there will be no start of operation until the red mud basin is resolved. Significant funds are required for that, and we should not gamble with such matters. That is why I disagree that this is the same as previous proposals, this is more and better. The position of all Government members was unanimous - Mujović stated.

Regarding potential police intervention, he said it had not been discussed and that he had not requested it, believing that the focus should remain on dialogue.

- Let us exhaust all possibilities for dialogue, I do not want to talk about repressive measures. We have offered enough material for reason to prevail - Mujović said.

Ćulafić stated that all Government members present voted - from the Democrats, the Europe Now Movement, the Bosniak Party, and New Serb Democracy - and that they actively participated in the discussion. He confirmed that members from the Democratic People's Party were not present.

- The remediation of the red mud basin and hazardous waste issue is valued at around 32 million euros. The construction of the sewage network in Zeta, covering around 30% of the territory, will cost around 12–13 million euros. These conclusions have a financial value of roughly 44 million euros of mandatory investment in the Municipality of Zeta - Ćulafić said.

There is, he stated, no room for repression.

- I am certain these conclusions will change the situation in Botun - Ćulafić said.

The construction of this facility will, he added, have a positive impact on the Skadar Lake basin.

- Experts say this is a benign situation. I appeal for understanding and dialogue - Ćulafić said.

He added that it is better to use the opportunity to bring concrete investment into the territory of Zeta.

- This includes camera coverage of a wider area, which can contribute to combating environmental crime in this municipality - Ćulafić noted.

“Work can start tomorrow”

Mujović said there is no specific date, but all permits have been obtained and “work can start tomorrow.”

- We are obliged to introduce the contractor to the works. The funds are available until December 31st. Today is December 10th. You know the final deadline. How things will develop, we will see, but these are the facts - Mujović said.

More importantly, he added, is that there is solid reasoning proving the facility is not a polluter.

- There is no justification for relocation. We cannot move the facility, but we can discuss everything else - Mujović said, adding that he is confident the issue can be resolved through dialogue and that we can show we belong to the Europe we aspire to be part of.

Negotiations - yes, he said, but not as an empty phrase. He wants someone on the other side of the table who is willing to listen, noting that dialogue is impossible if one party refuses to listen from the start.

He reminded that two months ago he offered a solution regarding the red mud basin, but was told to “stop attacking Zeta.”

When asked if these conclusions could have come earlier, Ćulafić said no, because they did not know exactly what the concerns of the residents of Botun were.

- Had we known from the beginning what all the challenges were, these conclusions could have come earlier, but the situation evolved over time, which is why I believe that the residents of Botun should reassess their stance after the Government’s guarantees, in the direction of strengthening the relationship between the executive power and the citizens of Zeta - Ćulafić stated.

He added that the Government is focused on resolving the environmental issue of the red mud basin.

Mujović said there is investor interest in building a photovoltaic power plant on that site.

When asked if the case has been politicized he answered – yes.

- There is politics involved, but I want to stay positive and constructive and I want this to be a story about expertise and science. Those who see it as an opportunity for political gain, that is their choice - Mujović said.

Ćulafić said the protests reflect genuine concern stemming from distrust, and that the Government is focused on solving concrete problems for the citizens.

Parallel projects

The wastewater collector and red mud basin remediation are projects that, according to Mujović, require around two to three years to complete.

- If the works start in parallel, in about three years we can have both problems solved - Mujović said.

He believes the issue is not the 30 million euros lost, but the reputation.

- What kind of country are you if you cannot build something beneficial for your own state in ten years - he asked.

Ćulafić expressed confidence that the residents of Zeta will not allow damage of around 115 million euros to the state.

- I believe we can expect a change of discourse from the protesting citizens of Zeta - Ćulafić concluded.