Nikšić: Projects for the reconstruction of houses, schools and health facilities have already begun

It is very important that the Fund for Assistance to Areas Affected by Natural Disasters becomes operational as soon as possible – said in a statement to the Bosnian news agency Patria (NAP) Nermin Nikšić, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- The Government and I are making great efforts to make the Fund operational as soon as possible, and tomorrow we will have the first meeting of the Management Board – added the Prime Minister.

Interestingly, in a survey by one of the most visited internet portals in BiH, Vijesti.ba, on the question: „Who has been the most successful Prime Minister of the FBiH since the establishment of this body until today“, Nermin Nikšić, the current Prime Minister of the FBiH, won the highest number of votes. With 34.11 percent, Nikšić won more votes than all seven prime ministers before him combined, NAP writes.

Nikšić said it is regrettable that, when it comes to the flooded areas, two months were lost in futile discussions in the Federal Parliament, and now those same people, says Nikšić, who obviously abused the biggest natural disaster in the history of BiH and the suffering of citizens, are accusing the Government of slowness.

- Despite that, reconstruction projects have already begun in numerous places in the FBiH, and in the coming weeks we will witness their further intensification – said Nikšić.

- Various institutions of the FBiH, from ministries, funds, agencies or directorates, in accordance with their competencies and capabilities, are already working on the reconstruction of houses, school or health facilities, as well as other measures aimed at helping citizens and the economy. It is particularly important to emphasize good cooperation with international organizations. An example is, for instance, the cooperation between UNDP and the Environmental Protection Fund of the FBiH, where some 9 million KM of joint funds will be invested in the reconstruction of kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, health centers, and these works have already begun, and the Government has given them full support – he added.

When it comes to the funds from the dedicated donor account of the FBiH, they will, said Nikšić, become operational once the Fund is fully established.

- Every mark will reach those in need, and we will do everything to prevent abuses, and so that donors know where and how the money was spent. However, the Government also has other funds which, in cooperation with municipalities and cantons, have been largely invested on the ground since May, and we are doing everything to direct the funds at our disposal towards the affected areas and make them available to those who need them most – warned Nikšić.

What is currently an objective problem in the FBiH, says the Prime Minister, are new locations for the construction of houses that were destroyed in landslides.

- I take this opportunity to also call on municipalities to, as soon as possible, in accordance with the new laws, secure replacement locations, because they can now do so without paying any fees or taxes, so that the construction of new facilities can begin. Without resolving the issue of land and locations, construction is not possible, and this must be resolved as quickly as possible, no matter how difficult a task it realistically is – concluded Nikšić, NAP writes.