Bureković: Breza residents deserve drinking water and the return of cultural and sports life to the city

Interview by Delvin Kovač

Samir Bureković was born on September 12, 1968, in Breza. He holds a Master's degree in Economics. He served as the coordinator for local communities in the Municipality of Breza. He is currently employed as the director of the Agency for Privatization of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK).

From 2013 to 2014, he held the position of director of JP "Komunalno" d.o.o. Breza. He also served as a councilor in the Municipal Council for two terms, from 2008-2012 and 2012-2015.

He was a member of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992-1995. He has participated in numerous humanitarian actions, both professionally and privately.

- I am running for the position of Mayor of the Municipality of Breza because I believe I have the necessary knowledge and experience gained through my work in the Municipality of Breza, through direct contact with local communities and our citizens - says Bureković, who highlights water supply, the construction of a swimming pool and sports hall, as well as attracting investors as key priorities for the residents of Breza.

At the upcoming Local Elections, he is the candidate of the People's European Alliance (NES) of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Mayor of the Municipality of Breza. In an interview with Patria, he spoke about the priorities of his work for the next four-year term, should he gain the trust of the residents of Breza.

Mr. Bureković, based on your visits to suburban settlements and villages and your conversations with citizens, what have you identified as their greatest needs?

Bureković: From my visits to suburban settlements and villages so far, I have realized that citizens most lack a regular supply of drinking water, and there are also problems with stray dogs and, of course, cultural and sports life, which has been reduced to a minimum in the city.

In your address on social media, you asked your fellow citizens not to participate in surveys for the Mayor of the Municipality of Breza. Why?

Bureković: For the simple reason that citizens do not spread hatred and intolerance among themselves if they decide on any of the two proposed candidates for Mayor of the Municipality of Breza.

You list water supply as the main priority in your program, which is still irregular in numerous municipalities and cities across BiH. In Breza, citizens lack water due to large losses caused by the worn-out secondary network. How do you intend to solve this problem?

Bureković: In my opinion, this problem is of crucial importance, and therefore I believe it is better to renovate the secondary network as much as possible - to tap new water sources and ensure a regular water supply for citizens, rather than building new sidewalks in the city for visual appeal.

The Olympic swimming pool in Breza was built in the 1970s. However, in the last four years, it has not been in operation at all, it is neglected, and therefore useless for the citizens. Do they deserve such treatment from the city administration, to have nowhere to cool off on hot summer days?

Bureković: Regarding the swimming pool, I believe it has been brought to a state it has not been in since its opening. It is a great pity that the Breza swimming pools are left to the ravages of time. I think that at all costs, the Breza swimming pools should be restored to their former glory so that the citizens of Breza, as well as surrounding towns, can enjoy them during hot summer days, instead of traveling miles away to other cities.

Unfortunately, just like the swimming pool, the sports hall in Breza is not functional. You will agree that young people who want to engage in sports do not deserve to be treated this way, and surely this is one of the reasons that drives them to leave Breza. Do you have a solution for this?

Bureković: It is regrettable that after almost 25 years since the construction of the sports hall in Breza began, its completion and opening is still nowhere in sight. Young people who want to engage in sports do not have the conditions for it and do not deserve to be treated this way, and surely this is one of the reasons that, among other things, stimulates them to leave our municipality and seek their fortune in another environment that allows them this. I think and am convinced that funds can be found for the completion of the sports hall, if nothing else in the form of donations from an embassy or EU funds for sports development.

One of the priorities in your potential mayoral term would also be the development of business zones and attracting investors. How do you intend to do this?

Bureković: When it comes to business zones and bringing investors to our city, we need to focus on this and offer potential investors some form of incentives to attract them - e.g., free land, free building permits, and much more.