BAGS Energotehnika: We are not responsible for others' unfulfilled obligations, criminal charges filed against Minister Pandurević

(Patria) - The company BAGS-Energotehnika d.d. Vogošća today issued a denial regarding the statement by the Minister of Communal Economy of Sarajevo Canton, Mladen Pandurević, in which director Enis Džihanić rejects the allegations that the company's management is solely to blame for the problems in the supply of heat energy in the settlement of Vogošća.

It is stated that the Assembly of the Company made a decision to approve the business plan for 2025. The aforementioned plan explicitly planned assistance from the budget of Sarajevo Canton in the amount of 3.5 million KM, but only about 1.3 million KM was disbursed, while the remaining 2.2 million KM was not realized.

"Such non-fulfillment of the Assembly's decision had direct consequences on the company's liquidity and the stability of the heating system, which cannot be attributed solely to the management or the director," the denial states.

Džihanić informed the public that a criminal complaint has been filed against Minister Pandurević due to "well-founded suspicion of non-fulfillment of a binding decision by a competent authority, abuse of official position, and negligent work in office".

The denial also rejects the claims that the Company unilaterally disconnected the heating at JU KSC Vogošća, emphasizing that the disconnection occurred solely due to the institution's debts exceeding 80,000 KM.

"BAGS-Energotehnika d.d. Vogošća did not disconnect the heating for any arbitrary or irresponsible reasons, but exclusively due to the debts of JU KSC Vogošća," it states.

The company points out that it has shown understanding on several occasions and continued to supply heating despite the debts, which has led to serious financial losses. After an appeal from the competent minister, the heating was turned back on, although the debt has not been settled.

Pandurević stated at a press conference on Saturday that BAGS Energotehnika has 30 tons of fuel oil, which, as they stated, is enough for about six days of operation, and believes there was no reason for more than 600 households to be left without heating.

Pandurević said that he was informed about the disconnection of heating half an hour before it was carried out, although, according to his claims, an agreement on fuel procurement was signed with the director of BAGS in September last year.

"The KS Government provided one million KM at the time, while the director was obliged to secure an additional 400,000 KM, which was estimated to be enough for heating for 95 to 115 days. On the 69th day, he informed us that the fuel had run out and did nothing to procure it," said Pandurević.