Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The system for calculating the special fee for the Regional Water Supply, as well as municipal charges that make revenues for local administrations, although formally clearly defined, in practice leaves room for serious irregularities and harm to the public interest.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company Regional Water Supply for the Montenegrin Coast, Zoran Lakusic, said that the problem lies in calculation models based on estimated investment value and gross construction area, where in both cases the key reliance is on data provided by investors and auditors. 

“Municipal charges are earmarked revenues of local administrations (municipalities), paid by owners or users of residential/business premises and construction land. These funds are used for maintaining public areas, lighting, and utility infrastructure,” Lakusic stated.

He said some reported investment values do not reflect reality, directly affecting obligations to the Regional Water Supply and municipal charges owed to local administrations.

“A particular problem is the fact that calculations are based on documentation that may be formally correct but essentially inaccurate, because input data are not adequately controlled or are deliberately adjusted in order to reduce the financial obligations of investors,” Lakusic warned.