Nikšić spoke with municipal mayors: FBiH Government to discuss the Fund's Management Board this week

Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH Nermin Nikšić spoke today with the Mayor of Maglaj Municipality Mehmed Mustabašić, who informed him about the situation in this municipality affected by floods and landslides, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

The floods this month worsened the already difficult situation caused by the May disasters, when 1,500 residential and about 300 commercial buildings were damaged. Agricultural farms suffered severe consequences, and additional problems are caused by still impassable roads to certain parts of the municipality.

The Maglaj Municipality has drawn up a reconstruction plan, in which public institutions, the economy, infrastructure, and housing are marked as strategic directions. It was particularly highlighted that the center of Maglaj has been cleaned of the deposits brought by the floods, and the scale of the work is indicated by the fact that 105 tons of fuel were spent solely on the engagement of machinery.

Regarding agriculture, the flooded crop areas have been re-sown, which will, at least to some extent, reduce the overall damage. Nevertheless, according to Mayor Mustabašić, the true extent of the natural disaster is still visible inside residential and commercial buildings.

Prime Minister Nikšić said that, as early as this week, the session of the FBiH Government will consider the by-laws necessary for the functioning of the Fund for Aid to Areas Affected by Natural Disasters in the territory of the FBiH, and the Fund's Management Board will be appointed.

The Federal Prime Minister reminded that the Government, in its first emergency aid, sent 590,000 KM to the Maglaj municipality, and that a few days ago a total of 3.5 million KM was paid as aid to four cantons.

Also, Maglaj, like other parts of BiH and FBiH affected by floods and landslides, can count on international credit and donor funds once they become operational.

Regarding the revival of economic activities, and since in Maglaj the vast majority of damaged commercial buildings are small and medium-sized enterprises, Prime Minister Nikšić suggested that the Maglaj Municipality contact the Federal Employment Institute to be included in programs aimed at preserving jobs.

Today, Nikšić also spoke with the Prime Minister of Posavina Canton, Marijan Oršolić, and the Mayor of Orašje Municipality, Đuro Topić, who informed him about the consequences caused by the floods in this part of the Federation of BiH, as well as plans for repairing the damage and reconstruction.

It was assessed that taking measures for flood protection is necessary. In this context, the initiative to apply for funding for the embankment construction project from the funds earmarked for joint regional projects at the Donor Conference was jointly supported.

The initiative regarding the possibility of finding favorable credit funds intended for financing sowing was also considered.