Garbage collection from Mostar streets begins, Uborak landfill active again

(Patria) - Mostar's utility companies began collecting waste from city streets early this morning.

The waste is still being stored at the Uborak landfill, despite the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs ordering the closure of this regional landfill at the beginning of the month.

The Public Health Institute of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton had previously warned that the failure to dispose of waste posed a serious risk to public health.

Utility workers on the ground. Garbage is finally being collected from Mostar's streets. This is the outcome of yesterday's extraordinary session of the Mostar City Council.

A state of technical and technological disaster was declared in the city area caused by the interruption of municipal waste collection, which led to a worsening epidemiological situation.

- This means opening the landfill, collecting the waste from around Mostar, properly disposing of it according to the law, as we have the right to do, and continuing this remediation process.

If there had been no obstruction all these years - both political from various initiatives and actors who gained political points there - we would today be nearing the end of the adaptation and closure plan for this site.

Unfortunately, today we are where we were before 2019, says the Mayor of Mostar, Mario Kordić (HDZ BiH).

The association "Jer nas se tiče" (Because it concerns us) reacted and explained their next steps after the landfill was opened.

- Through a legal team, I already have lawsuits prepared against Mario Kordić, the landfill director, and everyone responsible for this situation, so this time, they will certainly be held accountable before the law.

This cannot and will not go unpunished, because we will not allow violations of federal and state laws, stated the president of the association "Jer nas se tiče", Omer Hujdur.

Let us recall, the long-standing burning issue led to unpleasant scenes in the city after the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs closed the regional landfill at the beginning of the month.

Although waste storage at the same location has resumed, it is clear that a permanent solution is not in sight. All eyes are on higher levels of government, writes Federalna.ba.

- We know that the Draft Waste Management Plan for the Federation is in preparation. It was briefly presented to us a few months ago by the Federal Ministry.

We have been informed that they are working on it, and this waste management plan will define whether there will be a new location, where, or a new method of disposal, such as a power plant, incinerator, etc., says the president of the Mostar City Council, Đani Rahimić (SDA).

An answer is expected from the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, which is handling the process of issuing an environmental permit for the Uborak landfill, following the request from the Public Enterprise Deponija Mostar for the construction of a new sanitary cell, covering an area of 2.5 hectares at the Uborak - Buđevci location.