Residents Block Entrances to Smiljevici Landfill, Demand Urgent Action from Authorities

Residents of Sarajevo neighborhoods Boljakov Potok, Buča Potok, Zabrđe, Briješće, Sokolje, and Dolac blocked both entrances to the Smiljevici landfill this morning, N1 reports, relayed by Patria.

They will not allow new waste to be brought in, as the health of residents is being endangered. They believe the problem is not solely with the KS Prosecutor's Office, which has partially investigated the case.

Elmedin Selimović, a citizens' representative, told N1 that the key problem is inadequate waste disposal.

- Thousands of tons disposed of under unsanitary conditions. They claim otherwise, we know it's like that. The stench is immense, the soil is contaminated. The Lepenica stream has not been adequately remediated. Our representatives met with Prime Minister Konaković, the relevant minister, and the director of KJKP Rad was present at the meeting. Nothing has been done since then. They say the problem here is the Prosecutor's Office, but they told us they conducted investigative actions. That's just a small part they checked - says Selimović.

He says the Prosecutor's Office investigated 20 percent, a small part - but the problems are there.

- Waste is not disposed of properly. The minister said that nothing is being done about this issue, and that it is an ecological bomb. If lightning strikes, there could be an explosion. Gases are accumulating there - claims the citizens' representative.

Finally, he said that last week they sent clear demands to KJKP Rad and the KS Government.

- We received no response. The landfill must be urgently remediated. Thousands of tons of various waste, we don't even know what kind has been disposed of, and it has not been done under sanitary conditions - he concluded.