Accusations of political bias, consulting artificial intelligence, and calls for the resignation of a senator from the State Audit Institution (DRI) marked a nearly four-hour control hearing held by the parliamentary Committee on Economy, Finance, and Budget. The hearing addressed the double negative opinions received by the state-owned company EPCG Solar Gradnja for its financial report and compliance with regulations for the previous year.
Senator Milan Dabović explained that DRI issued a negative opinion on the financial report because deferred tax assets were not calculated according to standards, resulting in a reported profit lower by 63,700 euros. Additionally, costs overstated by 22,300 euros, which are not deductible for tax purposes, were identified, and no provisions were made for retirement severance or jubilee awards.
DRI concluded that the negative opinion was justified, despite issuing only two recommendations in this part of the audit. In the compliance audit, 21 recommendations were issued due to noncompliance with various laws and regulations. Dabović noted that Solar Gradnja agreed with all recommendations and had already begun implementing them.
EPCG’s Board Chairman Milutin Đukanović described the issues as trivial accounting errors that were automatically resolved. Mihailo Anđušić criticized the management of Solar Gradnja, calling it an example of nepotism and party influence, and claimed that initial appreciation for DRI’s recommendations had shifted to a completely different stance. He cited artificial intelligence analysis supporting his view and questioned the auditors’ impartiality.
Đukanović emphasized that the company is only three years old and has not yet implemented provisions for severance or awards. According to him, political motives and attempts to discredit the company underlie the negative opinion. He cited AI findings suggesting that similar or more serious errors in other companies had not led to negative opinions, and that EPCG Solar Gradnja should have received a conditional opinion with reservations instead.
Dabović noted that artificial intelligence can also make errors and that the concept of a conditional opinion with reservations is not recognized in practice. Solar Gradnja Board Chair Marina Jočić highlighted the company’s contributions to avoiding electricity price increases and advancing energy development in Montenegro. She stated that no funds were spent on representation, and the company has no official phones. She described the DRI report as a politically motivated document.
Other committee members offered varying perspectives. Dejan Đurović and Velimir Đoković supported providing Solar Gradnja with backing, citing its role in reducing unemployment and creating value. Nikola Rovčanin criticized opposition use of DRI reports for political purposes, noting that mistakes exist but can be corrected. Committee Chair Boris Mugoša emphasized that political arguments were used to deflect from the findings, pointing to entrenched familial and party networks in the energy sector.
Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović was scheduled to attend but canceled at the last moment for health reasons. Mugoša noted the timing of the minister’s absence as inappropriate, given the correspondence from his ministry arrived shortly before the session.
