Tycoons in Mostar can no longer do as they please, construction sites near Bunica closed

Although Hasan Pekušić, owner of HP Investing, claimed to have all permits for works in and around the Bunica riverbed, the construction site was closed by the inspection. This is a victory for all those who in Mostar are fighting against the destruction of natural beauty, but also proof that elections have curbed the convenience of individuals accustomed to doing as they please because there was no city council.

The complaint was filed with the inspection by the portal Hercegovina.info, after citizens alerted the public with their photos.

“On 29.3.2021, an inspection was carried out at the Malo polje location, and at the scene, the inspector stated the following: On the land marked as cadastral parcel 1318/2 and cadastral parcel 1319/1, cadastral municipality Buna, a residential building (from foundation to roof, with installed external openings) of approximately 10.0 x 9.0 m has been built. On the same parcel, in close proximity, another residential building with a pool of approximately 18.0 x 19.0 m has been started (reinforced concrete foundations and reinforced concrete floor slab completed). The investors of the built and started building purchased the above-mentioned land and possess a sales contract. The investors do not possess the necessary building permit, but they have submitted an application. It was officially recorded that the works are to be suspended and the construction site is sealed, except for the works on the external fencing of the parcel,” states the response from the Service for Inspection Affairs of the City of Mostar.

At the time of the inspection, there were no excavators in the Bunica riverbed, so no work was being carried out. The inspection stated that work was being done to protect private property from undercutting by placing concrete blocks.

This event was characterized by the portal Hercegovina.info as “a small step for the ordinary citizen, but a big one for the future of the city”. It has been shown that Pekušić, who was considered a favorite of the president of Mostar's SDA, Salem Marić, as well as the former mayor Ljubo Bešlić, can no longer do as he pleases. The new government has, at least for now, shown that there will be no room for illegal construction that has plagued the citizens of Mostar for years.

In addition to this, upon the request for action from the same portal, works at another construction site in Malo Polje have been stopped, where the owner will also have to provide permits to continue construction.