Šaljić: Authorities tell us - it's easier for you to walk like penguins than for us to clear the snow and ice that will melt anyway

(Patria) - Member of the Sarajevo Canton (KS) Assembly, Jasmin Šaljić (SBiH), lashed out at the KS authorities for their incompetence, inability, and extremely irresponsible behavior after the Bosnian capital was paralyzed by snow and gripped by ice.

In a statement to the Patria News Agency (NAP), Šaljić warned that sidewalks have not been cleared in the city even after two weeks. And now, he adds, it is much more difficult to do so, as the sudden cold snap and sub-zero temperatures have turned sidewalks into icy surfaces, so one "could easily use ice skates".

- While they are dealing with vehicles, irresponsible drivers, and obstacles at every corner, crossing, and path, pedestrians must also pay attention to signs like "Caution - ice", "Beware - icicles on the roof", "Danger of facade collapse", "Passage forbidden", "Bridge crossing forbidden"...

The signs and notices are posted by janitors and maintenance workers in institutions arbitrarily, just like the citizens themselves, without a plan, instructions, or any coordination in the system. People see what's going on, they have a conscience, and thank them for that - says Šaljić.

He points out that hundreds of citizens have so far sought medical help due to sprains, dislocations, and fractures from falling on ice.

And the authorities, in a humorous tone, Šaljić says, are telling them:
‣ Take your hands out of your pockets and walk like penguins;
‣ Pay attention to the snow under which lies the ice we couldn't, didn't know how to, or didn't want to clear;
‣ It is advisable to have a kilogram of Tuzla salt with you, wear helmets, bicycle helmets are also acceptable;
‣ Wear neck braces, put on knee and elbow pads, and if you're in a hurry, you can also use ice skates;
‣ If you have a backpack, be sure to bring small foldable shovels;
‣ As soon as you finish work, report immediately to the administration of the public utility company "Rad", all nine hundred employees in the offices, to assign you where to go to clear snow together with about a hundred of their field workers.

The cantonal authorities, our interlocutor continues, are also telling us:
‣ We couldn't meet the task exclusively due to inaction, turmoil, sabotage, factionalism, and bickering within our coalition called the Trojka (The Three);
‣ We couldn't because it's an election year;
‣ We wanted the ministries managed by our partners (NiP and NS) to be left without funds, so that we from the SDP could then (fence off) and (secure) our trams and our tracks;
‣ To first undermine coalition partners and then the opposition, to prepare and position ourselves for the upcoming elections;
‣ In fact, we are not responsible for landslides or snow, citizens, managers, private companies, municipalities, the unemployed, and youth at the employment bureau should exclusively clean them;
‣ Our vehicles are broken anyway - technically defective, and the tires are bald, because we haven't invested anything in the last ten years;
‣ Honestly, we hoped that this year, like in previous years, would pass without major precipitation, so that in the coming years, God willing, we could peacefully focus on public utility companies and buy one truck, one snowplow, and a pair of gloves for the workers;
‣ And you citizens, don't forget the aforementioned instructions for your safety;
‣ It is especially important, necessary, and useful how you walk, because it is easier for you to take your hands out of your pockets and walk like penguins, than for us to have to clear the snow and ice that will melt anyway in the spring.

(D.K.)