There are many ongoing examples of how the District’s institutions in partnership with international donors can improve the quality of life and the investment climate in the District. If joined with a firm stance against corruption and political patronage, the Brčko authorities can ensure a prosperous future for generations to come, underscored the Principal Deputy High Representative and Brčko Supervisor Michael Scanlan.
On Tuesday, together with the Italian Ambassador to BiH, the Supervisor attended the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Brčko Mayor and the EBRD Head of BiH for the EBRD Green Cities programme. EBRD Green Cities offers tangible support to cities to improve their environmental performance. The programme and development of a Green Cities Action Plan (GCAP) will provide Brčko access to funding and guidelines to build a better and more sustainable future for all its residents.
On Wednesday, the Supervisor attended the conference “Organized and Regulated Energy Sector in Brčko District of BiH – a Path to Self-Reliance,” hosted by the USAID Energy Policy Activity in cooperation with the Brčko District Government. The shared objective is to create the opportunity for investments in sustainable, affordable, green energy in the District through the adoption of modern legislation on electricity, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
But these developments will only succeed in a Brčko where there is zero-tolerance for corruption, a uniform application of the law to all citizens, and an absence of political patronage in both the public administration and public companies.
This was the message the Supervisor shared in his meetings with the Chief of Brčko Police, District Chief Prosecutor, Chair and members of the Commission for Assessing Conflict of Interest, and Director of the Anti-Corruption Office and his deputy.
In his discussions with Brčko leaders, the Supervisor has continuously underscored the primacy these critical institutions should have in both policy support and budgeting if the Brčko authorities are to achieve a sustainable economy and raise the quality of life for the entire community. Making sure the Anti-Corruption Office and the Commission for Assessing Conflict of Interest are fully funded, staffed and operational by the end of the year would be a clear sign there is a genuine political will to reach this goal.
