Podgorica, (MINA) - The World Bank has approved a EUR 40 million loan to Montenegro to improve the solid waste management system, strengthen institutions and align with EU standards, alongside with investments in infrastructure and environmental remediation, said Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Culafic.

At the press conference, he said that the World Bank approved a loan of EUR 40 million to Montenegro with the aim of implementing an important environmental project focused on waste management reform.

Culafic explained that the project consists of three components and that the first one is the improvement of the waste management and institutional development.

He pointed out the planned construction of the Regional Waste Management Center in Niksic, the value of which is EUR 16.5 million.

Culafic stated that the second component is the improvement of the waste management infrastructure, and the third is the rehabilitation of the waste disposal site in the KAP zone. 

Commenting on the fact that the Municipality of Niksic objected to the construction of a facility for treatment of animal by-products in the ​​the Zeljezara area, he said that it was previously considered to build a similar facility in Berane, but that the political circumstances prevented it.

Culafic called on the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Vladimir Jokovic, the President of the Municipality of Niksic, Marko Kovacevic, and the Electric Power Company of Montenegro to conduct a broader dialogue.

Responding to the question of when the state could become the owner of the red mud basin, he said that the goal is to resolve the issue as efficiently as possible.

Culafic said that there are several criminal proceedings regarding the site, and that the Government is still considering in which direction to go in order to solve the problem, that is, which way would be the most effective and legal way.

Speaking about the construction of a hotel in Baosici, he said that although it is not within his direct responsibility, as a member of the National Commission for UNESCO he believes that the current landscape environment in Boka Bay should not be disturbed, and especially not by construction that could be considered as devastation of nature.