Implementation of EBRD loan for water supply network reconstruction begins

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Minister of Communal Economy and Infrastructure of KS Srđan Mandić, director of KJKP “ViK” Enver Hadžiahmetović, and representatives of the company “Unioninvest&Deling” Mirza Hadžibegić and Omer Delalić signed an agreement worth 5.5 million euros.

With this agreement, loan funds from the first tranche of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), amounting to 10 million euros, will be used for the reconstruction of the electro-energy system, pumping stations, and electromechanical facilities in Bačevo, Stup, and Centar. Representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Edin Forto also attended the signing of the agreement.

Minister Mandić emphasized that significant progress has been made regarding the implementation of the EBRD loan.

“This is the most important project for this ministry, and I am sure for the Government of the Canton. After a series of problems, we can say that we are saving a long-announced project and that we are starting the reconstruction of three large pumping stations. I thank the representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Today, the long-awaited implementation of the EBRD loan officially begins, this is the first phase. The signing of a new tender for the reconstruction of other sections of the water supply and sewage network will start very soon. Congratulations to Director Hadžiahmetović. I am pleased that representatives of domestic companies are with us today, who have met the high standards of the EBRD and have taken on a very important and responsible project. We hope that everything will be completed within the deadline and that we can boast of having one of the most modern water supply systems in this part of Europe,” said Mandić.
 
Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Edin Forto said that the top priority of this Government is water supply, i.e., bringing this system within the framework of thrifty, good, and modern business operations.

“The facts speak for themselves that we will finally get serious, we have completed the entire process with international financial institutions that have high requirements in terms of project readiness. Project readiness is the biggest problem in the budget that this Government faced in its first year in office. All subsequent phases will proceed rapidly,” emphasized Forto.

Enver Hadžiahmetović, Director of KJKP “ViK”, thanked everyone present and stated that this project is the most significant for this company.

“This is truly a very good start. After three months of work, we have embarked on this path, from which we expect it to be good and successful. I am glad that we have succeeded in this and I congratulate the team, which includes my assistants, directors, and Mr. Enes Brković, head of the PIU team. Without that team, this would probably still be waiting. We have already held talks with contractors and supervision, and I believe this will be a good story in the coming years.”