UK, Mijatović, and Avdić: Safety of Skenderija Users and Visitors is a Priority

(Patria) - Regarding the recent events related to the part of the facility known as "Privredni grad Skenderija" and media reports that have caused concern among tenants and the public, a press conference was held today at the Skenderija Center, attended by the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Nihad Uk, Minister of Economy of KS Zlatko Mijatović, and Director of KJP Centar Skenderija Šenaj Avdić.

It was emphasized that the safety of people and property is an absolute priority and that the decision to prohibit the use of part of the premises was made exclusively based on an expert report on the structural safety of the facility, prepared by the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Sarajevo, and after inspection by the competent authorities of the Centar Municipality.

- The finding of the Civil Engineering Institute clearly established that the statics are compromised and that further operation of the stalls on the Skenderija Center plateau is potentially dangerous to people's lives. Any other interpretation that has appeared in public during the day, spins, and insinuations, are completely unfounded.

The sole reason for such a move is the serious risk arising from the compromised statics of the building. As a responsible government, we must and want to primarily take care of people's safety and prevent a possible tragedy - said Prime Minister Uk.

Minister of Economy of KS Zlatko Mijatović reminded that the metal structures on the plateau, known as "trgovke", were built in the early 1990s based on temporary urban planning permits lasting three years, which expired back in 1993.

- Those structures have long lost their legal basis for existence, and according to the findings, they have directly contributed to the compromise of the statics of the main Skenderija building. If they had not been built, such damage would probably not have occurred.

The KS Government will do everything to expedite the court proceedings related to this case, as it is key to the final resolution of the problem - emphasized Mijatović.

He stated that, in cooperation with Director Avdić, and in coordination with the mayors of Centar and Stari Grad municipalities, active work is being done to identify and secure alternative spaces that will, according to possibilities, be offered to users who must vacate their current premises for safety reasons.

- Our goal is, in addition to protecting safety, to provide realistic options for tenants to continue their business operations - added the minister.

Director of KJP Centar Skenderija Šenaj Avdić explained that this public institution did not make decisions unilaterally, nor does it have the authority to ignore the rulings of competent inspectorates.

- It is our obligation to act on the findings of experts and the orders of institutions. Any other action would be irresponsible and potentially dangerous - stated Avdić.

An appeal was sent from Skenderija to the owners of the "trgovke" to allow their removal, as they not only pose a safety risk but also physically prevent access to the structural points of the building, which directly hinders the implementation of necessary repairs.

In order to ensure transparency and information, informational sessions with tenants have been announced, and all relevant documents will be made available to the public in accordance with the law.