Are Čović and Milićević behind the construction of hydroelectric plants on the Buna, and what is the role of SBB Minister Đapo

What is Dragan Čović's role in the construction of mini hydroelectric plants on the Neretva? See who is leading the entire project. A certain Dragan Milićević?! Investigate whether this Dragan Milićević is the husband of the federal Minister of Finance, Jelka Milićević, Čović's right hand. Can this Milićević lead this million-euro project on his own? Of course not. Politics is definitely behind the construction of shameful mini hydroelectric plants in Mostar.

The HDZ is forcing this project through at the expense of citizens. With the help of coalition partners. They see only enormous profit in it all. No one can stop them in this. This is a defeat for democracy – claim members of the Coordination of Mostar associations in a conversation with the Patria agency.

The Government of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton has granted a concession for part of the Neretva River, where construction of mini hydroelectric plants is scheduled to begin in June. First, the mini hydroelectric plants Buna 1 and Buna 2 will be built. After that, dozens of similar mini hydroelectric plants in this area. The first mini hydroelectric plants are to be built at the confluence of the Buna and the Neretva.

The HNK Government awarded the construction concession to the company „Hercegovina građevinsko zanatstvo d.o.o.“ Mostar. Dragan Milićević manages the projects on behalf of this company.

- If construction of these mini hydroelectric plants begins, the entire confluence of the Buna into the Neretva will be destroyed – Mostar environmentalists claim for Patrija.

- That area is protected by law. It is a confluence known as a spawning ground for several fish species, and construction is not allowed there. Politics is now definitely demonstrating its power – claim members of the Association Coordination.

Thousands of Mostar residents have been trying for months to stop the degradation of one of the most beautiful stretches of the Neretva. More than 20 Mostar associations have raised their voices against the construction, but so far politics has been stronger than them.

The people of Mostar believe that only the SBB Minister of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Edita Đapo, can save them. If she does not issue an environmental permit to the investor, the confluence of the Buna and the Neretva will be saved. The tourist gem will remain untouched.

Unfortunately, bad news has been coming to Mostar in recent days. It is very likely that Đapo, under pressure from the good relations between the leaders of SBB and HDZ BiH, Fahrudin Radončić and Dragan Čović, will issue an environmental permit to the investors. Or she may have already issued it. Everything is still shrouded in secrecy. Đapo does not want to talk about this case. She told a Patria journalist that she does not remember the case and that she must contact the departments to check. However, afterwards she did not answer phone calls.

- If construction of these mini hydroelectric plants begins, the prosecutor's office must definitely get involved – the Coordination warns.

Project manager Dragan Milićević tried to explain to the public that the beauties of the Neretva should be set aside. New investments will bring new jobs and fill Mostar's budget.

And, is Milićević's story sincere? The Coordination claims it is a complete deception of the citizens. Mini hydroelectric plants are automated. Each of them will create only one job. The concession fee is also negligible. Only about 20,000 or 30,000 KM per year. On the other hand, the investor would collect at least one million KM annually from the sale of electricity, writes Patria.