The office for fighting corruption and quality management of Canton Sarajevo (CS) received 41 reports in 2022, and 55 in 2021, related to irregularities in the area of spatial planning and construction in the area of CS.
This was highlighted yesterday at a press conference, organized by the aforementioned office, where activities and preventive measures in the fight against corruption in the construction and spatial planning sector were presented, with a focus on the impact on the quality of life and health of the population, as well as the protection of natural resources.
At the same time, the participants of the event – representatives of embassies, international and non-governmental organizations, were presented with an educational and informative video material entitled ‘Drop by drop’, which refers to the mentioned area, and whose development was initiated by the cantonal Office for the fight against corruption with the help and support of the Embassy of the United States (U.S.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
It is a material that testifies to the difficulties that the citizens of CS face, which concern construction and spatial planning beyond certain standards, and the risks that such construction implies.
Activities on this plan were welcomed by the deputy head of mission at the American Embassy, Deborah Mennuti, emphasizing the importance of effectively opposing negative trends in the construction sector and strengthening transparency in the context of issuing permits, and enabling citizens to influence events in that segment.
She underlined that the current steps in the construction segment ignore the suggestions and remarks of citizens, which has the effect of endangering the environment, specifically water protection zones, as well as the devastation of forests and other natural resources in the area of CS.
“It is very important to strengthen and improve the legislative framework for the fight against corruption,” said Mennuti, expressing the determination of the international community and the U.S. to support the efforts of the CS in effectively fighting corruption.
Kafedzic recalled key activities to date in the fight against corruption in the construction and spatial planning sector, including specific mechanisms and tools that enable monitoring of the situation and more effective action, including an interactive/online map, which will be publicly available after yesterday‘s presentation, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
