TI BiH warns: Procedures violated in the awarding of concession for the exploitation of underground water in Livno, the City Council should withdraw its consent

The Government of Canton 10 granted the Concession for the exploitation of underground water at the location “Poljane” without proper public hearing and necessary permits, and on that occasion numerous procedures were violated, warns Transparency International in BiH (TI BiH). That is why the Livno City Council should withdraw the conditional consent it gave for this concession, because the concessionaire “Dže-Co” d.o.o. Livno did not fulfill most of the conditions that were set back in 2010.

According to the available information and the Report of the working body of the Government of Canton 10 on this issue, public hearings were not conducted or were not conducted in accordance with the law, the previous water consent has expired, and other water acts have not been obtained, no environmental permits have been issued, no reports on the results of geological and hydrogeological research, and the approvals for expanding the area are full of objections and shortcomings.

In addition to the aforementioned concession, no fee is paid, and this awarding procedure was marked by other irregularities. In addition to all of the above, the Commission for Concessions stated that the possible threat to the water supply of the local population should be taken into account, while TI BiH received numerous reports from citizens in this area who pointed out the dangers to the environment and stated that all decisions were made without public consultation, discussion and participation.

Bearing in mind all of the above, especially the reports and decisions of the competent authorities, dissatisfaction of the residents of the local community Vidoši and other citizens of Livno, TI BiH appeals to the City Council of Livno to consider the conditional consent it gave for granting the concession, and if it is determined that the conditions have not been met, to declare the termination of validity of this consent.