Ilidža Municipal Council Adopts Concrete Conclusions Aimed at Resolving Water Protection Zone Issues

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A thematic session of the Ilidža Municipality, which addressed the issue of the water protection zone, was held today in the congress hall of Hotel Hills.

In addition to 25 municipal council members, the session was attended by members of the Government of Sarajevo Canton, led by Prime Minister Edin Forto, representatives in the Assembly of Sarajevo Canton, the director of the Institute for Development Planning of Sarajevo Canton, and representatives of other administrative bodies and institutions.

At the very beginning, the Mayor of Ilidža, Nermin Muzur, presented the main problems concerning the water protection zone through a visual presentation.

- The Municipality of Ilidža is the only municipality where natural wealth represents a burden and a limiting factor for development and sustainable life in its area - said the Mayor.

He emphasized that this is a problem that has been ongoing for years, and he also spoke about the issues of approximately 1,000 illegally constructed buildings in the water protection zone and waste in certain parts. Mayor Muzur stressed the need to prepare a new study that will help resolve this issue, and stated that politics should be set aside to keep the focus on the aforementioned problem.

- It is certain that with goodwill, and in accordance with the valid norms regulating issues of general interest on one hand and the rights of owners on the other, in relation to the general interest of protecting drinking water sources, there is a way to find an adequate solution and balance between the general and specific interests of all citizens - said the Mayor, emphasizing that citizens are unable to adequately utilize their property.

Cantonal Prime Minister Edin Forto drew attention to the issue of human rights, specifically the inability to dispose of private property. Citizens in such a situation cannot sell or cultivate their property, nor are they provided with any reimbursement. He also stated that it is important for the entities to be involved in resolving this issue, given that the entity border passes through the water protection zone.

The Minister of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, Adnan Delić, proposed the formation of an interdepartmental commission to analyze the current Study on the Protection of the Sarajevo Field Drinking Water Source and to assess the need for a new one. One of the possible solutions is to redirect the water supply of Sarajevo Canton from the Crna Rijeka source.

Council members of the Ilidža Municipality and former employees also addressed the attendees, and like other speakers, presented their opinions on the mentioned problem and gave full support in its resolution.

A total of eight conclusions were adopted at today's thematic session, and they are:

1. The Ilidža Municipal Council notes that the problems related to the Ilidža water protection zone are evidently not recognized to a sufficient extent, nor are the consequences that directly arise from the obvious inaction of competent authorities and the failure to act in accordance with their jurisdictions, as well as the failure to fulfill previously undertaken obligations and duties closely related to the subject problem.

2. The Ilidža Municipal Council notes that the first water protection zone is undisputed within its boundaries and that it is necessary for the Government of Sarajevo Canton, in accordance with its obligations, to provide funds in the 2022 budget for the completion of the land purchase process for this zone, respecting the undisputed rights of owners to compensation for damages. The plan and purchase program should be prepared in consultation and cooperation with the Municipality of Ilidža.

3. The Ilidža Municipal Council demands that a working body be formed without delay to determine the concrete facts contained in the Study on the Protection of the Sarajevo Field Drinking Water Source, and specifically:

- Provide information on the exact area of land purchased in the water protection zone,

- Information on the amount of funds spent on land purchase in the water protection zone,

- Information on the exact amount of funds collected from the special fee in the account of the Institute for Construction of Sarajevo Canton since June 2009,

- Information on the funds spent and realized from the special fee collected from 08.09.2009 to date, in relation to Conclusion of the Government of Sarajevo Canton No. 02-05-18440-31/09 of 04.06.2009.

The deadline for the implementation of this point is 31.12.2021.

4. The Ilidža Municipal Council requires an analysis of the factual situation contained in the Study on the Protection of the Sarajevo Field Drinking Water Source to be carried out by an expert independent body, with particular emphasis on the economic and developmental aspects of the Ilidža Municipality, all with the aim of reducing and mitigating specific restrictions, especially those in the second water protection zone.

When adopting these measures, it is necessary to consider the fact that the adoption of the Sarajevo Canton Urban Plan is planned, and the proposed mitigation measures must be an integral part of it.

The deadline for the implementation of this conclusion is the end of March 2022.

5. The Ilidža Municipal Council demands that, in case the implementation of conclusion number 4 is not possible within the specified deadline, the Government of Sarajevo Canton, by 30.06.2022, prepare a concrete plan and program for the purchase of land from the second water protection zone, all with the aim of protecting the drinking water sources in Sarajevo Canton.

6. We require that at least one member of the Ilidža Municipality be represented in all formed working bodies.

7. The Ilidža Municipal Council is committed to, in case of non-implementation of the aforementioned conclusions, or failure to take adequate measures within the jurisdiction of the bodies and institutions of Sarajevo Canton and the FBiH, supporting the citizens of Ilidža Municipality who own real estate in the water protection zone in activities that will result in their compensation, all in accordance with valid regulations, especially in the area of property rights.

8. The Ilidža Municipal Council tasks the Municipal Mayor to regularly inform the Municipal Council about the activities undertaken to implement these conclusions, and to plan funds in the 2022 Budget for legal and consulting services with the aim of resolving the aforementioned issues.

The thematic session of the Municipal Council was held in accordance with the Orders and Recommendations of the Crisis Staff of the Federal Ministry of Health adopted by the Government of the Federation at its session held on 04.11.2021, which mandates the mandatory wearing of protective masks over the mouth and nose in closed spaces, while maintaining a distance of at least 2 meters and other instructions for observing hygienic-epidemiological measures.