State of emergency declared in Banja Luka: "The city is threatened by infection"

(Patria) - The Emergency Situations Headquarters declared a state of emergency in the area of the city of Banja Luka due to challenges with waste disposal caused by the strike of the "Dep-ot" company.

As stated by the Mayor of Banja Luka, Draško Stanivuković, considering that the current situation seriously threatens the cleanliness of the city, as well as the public health of Banja Luka residents, the "Dep-ot" company will be issued an order to immediately establish regular twenty-four-hour operation of the regional landfill in Ramići.

"We will issue the order immediately, and in case of non-compliance, we will contact the competent prosecutor to act urgently against the responsible persons, because the city is threatened by an infection that could turn into an epidemic. In addition to the order for 'Dep-out', an order will also be issued to the 'Čistoća' company to address the current situation at full capacity. Furthermore, communal police officers will immediately go to the field and act in accordance with their competencies. We have also requested an urgent meeting with the management of the 'Dep-ot' company today at 11:00 AM, and tomorrow at 3:00 PM we have invited representatives of 'Čistoća' and all municipalities that dispose of waste in Ramići," Stanivuković emphasized.

He added that a proposal for declaring a state of emergency will also be sent to the Republic Emergency Situations Headquarters, as several municipalities from Republika Srpska dispose of waste at the regional landfill, all in order to pressure the republican institutions and inspection bodies to establish a regular operating regime for the landfill.

Stanivuković explained that, due to the shortened working hours, it is impossible to dispose of such a large amount of waste, and added that if this situation continues, the amount of waste will increase rapidly.

"The regional landfill, whose working hours are 24 hours, has reduced its operation to only four or five hours. Up to 500 tons of waste arrive at this landfill daily, and with four hours of working time, a maximum of 100 tons can be disposed of, while 300 tons remain for Banja Luka and threaten to cause infection. The question arises as to who has the right to do this and who is so irresponsible to treat the city and citizens in this way," stated Stanivuković.

He also explained that the strike occurred due to a court dispute between the companies "Dep-ot" and "Čistoća", which has been ongoing for more than 20 years, while the City is now expected to resolve this issue.

"It is expected that the City will overturn the verdict issued by the competent Court and that we will resolve the issue of this verdict. However, what we can do is continue to fight through legal channels, and we have requested a review of the case from the Supreme Court. While we are seeking a solution, waste disposal cannot stop, and regardless of who owns the landfill, it must operate and provide communal services without interruption," said Stanivuković.

He noted that the management of the "Dep-ot" company, as well as the representatives of the City's capital in this company, were appointed, as he added, by the parliamentary majority gathered around SNSD.

"They appointed their cadres and have now caused a situation where Banja Luka is threatened with an ecological catastrophe. Furthermore, precisely that political structure made a decision 20 years ago to give 'Čistoća's' land to 'Dep-ot' – free of charge. If I had appointed a director who acts like this, he would be immediately dismissed, therefore, on this occasion, I also call for political responsibility," emphasized Stanivuković.