Bijedić: Construction of Corridor Vc is proof that it can and must be done

The Federal Ministry of Transport and Communications, led by Minister Enver Bijedić, is trying to make up for what was missed in past mandates, accidentally or not, but should have been done. For example, in the municipality of Tuzla alone, 3.3 million KM has been invested in road infrastructure since 2010. The responsibilities of this Ministry include the postal and telecom segment, railways, roads, air traffic, the port captaincy, and water traffic. Among other things, Bijedić speaks to the Patria agency about Talgo trains, the Railways of FBiH, and Corridor Vc.

PATRIA: You mentioned the postal and telecom segment. It is known that BH Telecom is the only operator in the region that has not been privatized. Is this an advantage for us?

BIJEDIĆ: You are right, and whether it is an advantage or not – is evident. First and foremost, by how this sector consistently and increasingly fills the budget. Last year, BH Telecom had a revenue of 600 million KM and an average profit of 145 million KM. 300 million KM was paid into the Federation Budget, and 65 million KM from corporate income tax. The company realized investments of 450 million KM, the number of users increased, and 350,000 devices were provided for mobile network users. These are just some of the most important data about BH Telecom, and it should also be known that as many as 12 more companies in our area are registered to provide these services.

PATRIA: What about postal traffic? Is it in the background or operating as usual?

BIJEDIĆ: Classic mail, the kind we are used to, is irreplaceable even in this era, but it must adapt to new conditions. In the case of BH Pošta, a company that provides universal, reserved, and financial services, there were problems and difficulties. However, in 2013, the best result since its establishment was achieved. A profit of 3.4 million KM is a significant achievement, which is 244 percent more than the previous year. Net profit was 3.1 million KM, and this continues into the current year. Postal traffic is carried out in 300 postal units with 987 counters, with 1,057 delivery zones and 627 postmen. I am saying this because classic mail is generally in the background in this fast, digital age, yet there are many aspects where it is irreplaceable. This is best known to the 2,363 employees of BH Pošta, as well as the 700 employees of Hrvatska pošta Mostar, which has also been operating successfully for the last three years.

PATRIA: We are coming to the Railways of the Federation. This year, that company has started on the path to recovery. Is that true?

BIJEDIĆ: Yes, that's true. The current management of the Railways of FBiH inherited a debt of 40 million KM and many problems, which are, among other things, reflected in the 14 criminal charges related to previous years. Concrete results best speak of the path to recovery: savings of about 32 million KM have been achieved, regular salaries have been secured, including two overdue ones, obligations from labor disputes amounting to 1.65 million KM have been settled, some bank and business obligations have been settled, credit obligations are being met regularly, and in the first six months of 2014, more than 4.2 million tons of goods were transported.

PATRIA: What about the Talgo trains? They were expensively paid for and are unused. What is the issue there?

BIJEDIĆ: We cannot use nine Talgo train sets, which are the most modernly equipped wagons without locomotives, on our tracks because they are compositions that travel at speeds four to five times faster. However, to prevent this from being dead capital, the tender by the State Railways of the Republic of Turkey is in its final stages. We were the most favorable bidder, and according to the agreement, we will lease the Talgo sets to them and receive 15 million euros for three years. The maintenance of the compositions during that time will be undertaken by the user, and after the contract expires, they are obliged to return the trains in the condition they received them, meaning new.

PATRIA: The most attractive seems to be what is related to road construction, especially the highway on Corridor Vc.

BIJEDIĆ: You are right. With the establishment of the Public Enterprise Roads of the Federation, a turning point has been made in this area and in road maintenance, especially concerning Corridor Vc. The company manages a network of 2,048 kilometers of roads. From 2011 to 2013, 115.7 million KM was invested in reconstruction, construction, lighting, traffic signals, and traffic safety improvements, in the rehabilitation of landslides, rockfalls, slopes, and cuttings, and in the repair of the asphalt pavement. This is a huge job, started in 2008 under the program "Road Rehabilitation in the Federation of BiH" and completed in 2013. The program is worth a total of 208 million KM, secured from the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, and from the own funds of Roads of the Federation. This program covered 1,350 kilometers of roads. The Sarajevo bypass has also been completed, after many technical and bureaucratic problems. Finally, this includes the works on the western entrance to Tuzla from the hospital in Kreka to Šićki Brod, as well as the Šićki Brod interchange. A few days ago, the construction of the Karaula tunnel began, marking the next phase in the reconstruction of the road at Karaula, between Kladanj and Olovo. Two bridges have been completed, and revised projects for two more have been finalized.

PATRIA: Corridor Vc?

BIJEDIĆ: That is a special story for us and for this country, not just the Federation. The current federal government found 67 kilometers of highway on Corridor Vc when it came to power in 2010. To date, another 76 kilometers have been completed. A special achievement, I am convinced, is the "Prvi mart" tunnel on the Zenica-Sarajevo route. The opening of this tunnel, the most modernly equipped in this part of Europe, is not only a great work victory and the culmination of years of effort in making up for what was missed on Corridor Vc, but also proof that when there is a will, what should have been completed long ago can and must be done.