MPs doubt proposed measures can fix water supply situation

An extraordinary session of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly with only one item on the agenda, the Report on Measures to Stabilize Water Supply in Sarajevo Canton, concluded after MPs took note of the Report, Patria news agency writes.

Prime Minister Elmedin Konaković said that the Government will dismiss the management of ViK (Public Utility Company Vodovod i kanalizacija) next week, as it could not do so before the Sarajevo Canton Assembly adopted the Report.

Although today's session was convened with one item on the agenda – the problem with water supply – the Assembly Chairwoman Ana Babić had to repeatedly warn MPs to stick to that item, as they often resorted to inter-party bickering that had nothing to do with the water supply problem.

- My colleague Neira Dizdarević and I will not support the government's proposal because we believe it is a clear attempt to shift responsibility. Short-term measures without a complete analysis of the situation will not yield results. Reductions are occurring due to interest groups fighting over the 50 million KM EBRD loan – said independent MP Mario Vukasović.

MP of Our Party Edin Forto said that they are "constantly putting out fires, while avoiding discussion about the causes of the fires".

- Instead of experts, who should have been here today, we have the Prime Minister and people we've been watching for months. What can we fix in that way? Nothing – Forto stated, and he questioned what kind of new situation is being discussed when this problem has been present for 13 years.

DF MP Bibija Kerla said that today's session should have also discussed the responsibility of those responsible for citizens not having water.

SDP MP Slaviša Šućur said that the Assembly should not discuss or adopt the proposed measures at all, as that should be the task of the company itself.

Who will bear responsibility when the money from the EBRD loan is spent, and the water supply situation does not improve, was one of the MPs' questions. There was no answer.

SBB MP Zvonko Marić asked Prime Minister Konaković if he truly believed in the proposed measures and if they would yield results.