The DPS–SD–Citizens councillors’ group is calling on the Government of Montenegro to urgently take all necessary measures to ensure the smooth continuation of the snowmaking project at the Bjelasica ski resorts — a project of critical strategic importance for the municipality and for the development of Montenegro’s winter tourism as a whole.
At yesterday’s session of the Kolašin Municipal Assembly, councillors were informed by representatives of the executive branch that the contractor had terminated the snowmaking works agreement, meaning that the entire procedure will now have to be repeated through a new “design-and-build” tender. According to the councillors, this development clearly demonstrates the complete lack of seriousness and competence of the responsible state authorities, who were obliged to guarantee continuity in the implementation of a project vital to Kolašin.
Particularly concerning, they stated, is the mayor’s claim that the project has been blocked due to the actions of “a dozen residents of the Mušovića River area,” as well as the fact that the Basic Court in Kolašin continues to avoid issuing a temporary measure that would allow the works to continue on a project that is unquestionably in the public interest.
Such institutional behaviour, they noted, has now resulted — or will almost certainly result — in the contractor filing a lawsuit against the state, which will create additional financial damage and further confirm the legal and institutional chaos characterising the current government. Citizens must understand, they stressed, that without snowmaking there can be no predictable or sustainable winter tourism season. This ultimately means that the local economy, hospitality sector, tourism workers and hundreds of families who depend on tourism will bear the consequences of the state’s incapacity and its persistent refusal to address issues crucial to the future of the municipality.
They emphasized that the current low temperatures on Bjelasica would allow artificial snow production to begin immediately, and that the large quantities of water following recent rainfall could be optimally used within the snowmaking system.
For these reasons, the councillors’ group is demanding that the Government of Montenegro act without delay, take immediate steps to restart the project and ensure the snowmaking works are completed as quickly as possible. Kolašin and Bjelasica deserve this, they said, and citizens have the right to development, security and responsible management of public resources.
