Milan Knežević, leader of the Democratic People’s Party (DNP), stated that the recent government document concerning guarantees for residents of Botun regarding the operation of a wastewater collector does not include any provision for changing the location of the planned facility. During a press conference, Knežević emphasized that decisions regarding the government’s proposal will ultimately be made by the citizens of Botun, not by him or his colleague, Mihailo Asanović.
Knežević pointed out that the information released to the media appears to be a compilation of proposals originally suggested by Rasim Mujović. He noted that the document outlines various obligations but omits the key demand from the residents of Botun for a change in location. “This document was prepared without input from some government members, and only today will it be presented to the government officials, following its release to the media and the public,” Knežević remarked.
He called on Minister Spajić to appeal to the citizens of Botun to engage in discussions, should this document be approved in the upcoming government session. Knežević urged for negotiations aimed at calming tensions and finding a compromise based on what the government is attempting to present as a significant resolution.
“I and Asanović are not the appropriate parties to respond to the government’s proposal. The citizens of Botun should have a direct conversation with Prime Minister Spajić,” he stated. Knežević added that Spajić firmly assured him that all 81 members of parliament and the prosecution would receive a contract with a Turkish company for the construction of the collector.
Knežević characterized the recent gathering in Botun as “the largest and most attended since 2020.” He emphasized that the event was not organized by him or Asanović, but rather by the residents themselves. “We are facing a dirty media campaign that attempts to portray us as misleading the citizens of Botun and Zeta,” he said. He also criticized some coalition partners for trying to frame them as obstructing the EU integration process and development.
Mihailo Asanović, the President of the Municipality of Zeta, expressed his firm stance against the temporary storage of hazardous waste at the former KAP site, located near residential areas. He stated that any waste poses a direct threat to public health. Asanović highlighted that even before the government act is adopted on October 23, 2023, there had been promises to address the issue of the red mud pool, which have gone unfulfilled for the past 10 to 15 years.
“It is contradictory that while the government promises remediation, it simultaneously decides to store hazardous material next to that very pool,” Asanović noted. He observed that the government appears to be backing away from its previous intentions regarding waste management.
Asanović reiterated that the situation remains unacceptable and called for public awareness regarding the issue. “We have witnessed modifications in the government’s proposals compared to what Mujović offered to the residents of Botun last week,” he concluded. The ongoing discussions reflect the community’s concerns over health and environmental safety, underscoring the importance of addressing local demands transparently.
