Protest in Kozarac near Prijedor: Highway yes, over our land 'NO'

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - About fifty residents of Kozarac and the settlements of Kozaruša and Kamičani gathered today in Kozarac to protest the announced construction of the Banja Luka – Prijedor highway route.

The protest is being held in accordance with prescribed epidemiological measures.

Residents emphasize that they are not against the construction of the highway, but they oppose the construction of one of the routes planned in the working versions, which, according to the residents, would significantly affect their way of life and quality of life.

As they state, a larger number of houses would be demolished. A large area of agricultural land would be permanently lost, which would jeopardize the existence of numerous residents who live from agriculture.

Senad Bratić, an MP from SDA in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, points out that the residents of Kozarac and Prijedor support the construction of the highway, but with a route that will cause the least damage on the ground.

"The fact is that 91 facilities would be subject to demolition along this route. We support the construction of the highway, but with a route that will cause the least damage on the ground. The Ministry of Transport of Republika Srpska, as well as the Minister of Transport and Communications of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vojin Mitrović, and his assistant, Nedžad Branković, have been informed about this. No one disputes such an important activity as the construction of a highway that would significantly improve communication and the movement of people, goods, and services in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but there is no reason not to design a new route that would least endanger the situation on the ground in terms of demolishing facilities and the functionality of populated areas, specifically in the area of Kozarac and further into the city of Prijedor," says Bratić.

A meeting was held yesterday at the Ministry of Transport of Republika Srpska, attended by representatives of Autoputevi RS and the Institute of Civil Engineering, which is participating in the preparation of project documentation for the future highway, where it was stated that a significant number of remarks have been submitted, many of which have been assessed as justified.

However, the Ministry of Transport points out that these are working versions and that a final decision on the route of the future Banja Luka – Prijedor highway has not yet been made.

They also state that a large number of citizens' remarks and suggestions are justified and will most likely be taken into account.

(BHRT)