Podgorica Faces Environmental Crisis Over Controversial Waste Project

The construction of a wastewater treatment plant in the village of Botun, located within the municipality of Zeta, has sparked significant public unrest in Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica. The proposed facility aims to address the aging waste management system that has long posed environmental risks. Local residents have been protesting for nearly a month, raising concerns that the new plant could jeopardize their health and the local ecosystem.

Protests are intensifying as Zeta’s municipal leaders have scheduled a referendum for December 14, 2023, allowing the community to voice its opinion on the project. Approximately 12,747 residents will have the opportunity to vote, although the outcome will not be binding for Podgorica’s government, which has maintained its support for the initiative.

Local resident Jagoš Bećirović stated, “We will determine our next steps after the referendum.” He expressed hope that the community’s concerns would be adequately addressed in the government’s plans.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović, Botun residents received assurances that the government would remediate previous environmental issues in the area, including the management of toxic red sludge. Mujović emphasized the government’s commitment to environmental standards, stating, “I genuinely wish for reason to prevail, as I believe the government’s proposal is extremely fair. The facility will not harm public health, and there is no reason not to begin construction at the defined location.”

The project is crucial for Montenegro, as failure to initiate construction by the end of this year could result in a loss of approximately €100 million from the European Union. This funding is part of a broader initiative that includes almost €33 million in grants for the new sewer system and collector, supported further by a loan from the German development bank KfW.

The plant in Botun represents the largest environmental project the EU has supported in Montenegro. It is intended to resolve wastewater treatment issues stemming from a facility built in 1978, which was designed for only 55,000 residents. As of the latest census in 2023, Podgorica’s population has surged to nearly 180,000, underscoring the urgency of addressing the outdated infrastructure.

The political landscape surrounding the project is fraught with tension. The ruling party, the Democratic People’s Party (DNP), has declared that they will withdraw from the local government if construction begins. Milan Knežević, a leader of the DNP, has warned against police action towards protesters, stating that such actions could compel his party to exit the national government as well.

While some political factions, including the SNP and local officials from the Democratic Montenegro and New Serbian Democracy parties, oppose the construction, national leaders from these groups have not publicly contested the government’s plans. This situation raises questions about the authenticity of local political opposition, with critics suggesting that politicians might be leveraging the concerns of a few hundred residents for broader political gain.

The outcome of the referendum and the subsequent actions by the government will likely shape the future of Podgorica’s environmental policy and its relationship with the European Union. As the deadline for construction looms, the pressure mounts on both local authorities and the residents of Botun to navigate the complex intersection of environmental necessity and community consent.