Podgorica, (MINA) – The problem of gravel extraction from the Moraca riverbed has not disappeared, but taken on a different form, and extraction still continues on private and state-owned plots of land, warned former chairman of the Board of Directors of the Montenegrin Coast Regional Waterworks, Zoran Lakusic.

He stated in the press release that there is no doubt that the state achieved significant results in recent years by stopping the large-scale illegal gravel extraction from the Moraca riverbed.

Lakusic pointed out that the practice that devastated the river for decades and brought huge profits to individuals at the expense of the public interest had been stopped.

“However, I believe that the battle to protect the Moraca River is not over. The problem has not disappeared, but merely changed its form to a significant extent. According to numerous warnings from citizens, gravel extraction continues along the riverbanks, both on private and state-owned plots”, said Lakusic.

He emphasized that the attempt to present to the public that the problem has been solved because excavation in the Moraca riverbed was stopped is of particular concern.

According to Lakusic, such an approach does not reflect to the actual situation on the ground.

“That is why today there is no justification for not removing illegal structures, processing facilities and machinery from the Moraca banks, or for allowing further usurpation of state-owned property”, added Lakusic.