Brčko is on the right track, and the authorities need to remain focused on completing the preparations on time so that citizens can begin to see transformative benefits from development-oriented projects under the World Bank’s Sava and Drina Rivers Corridors Integrated Development Program next summer, the Principal Deputy High Representative and Brčko District Supervisor Jonathan Mennuti stated today.
Preparations for the five nominated projects – the regulation of Brka and Blizna waterways, the environmentally-friendly closure of the city landfill and its replacement with a new waste management facility, and a promenade along the Sava River – are proceeding according to schedule. This dynamic needs to be maintained so that the entire project documentation is ready and practical implementation can begin the moment the funds are approved by the World Bank.
These and other development projects were the topic of the Supervisor’s meetings with the District Government and Assembly leadership, as well as the District Government Chief Coordinator Željko Antić.
In his meeting with representatives of utility company “Komunalno Brčko,” the Supervisor was briefed on ongoing talks regarding next year’s electricity supply for the District. The Supervisor commended the efforts under way to make sure the agreement is concluded on time, adding that securing uninterrupted power supply for all households in the District is the top priority.
PDHR/Supervisor Mennuti also met with representatives of NGOs “Vermont” and “DEMOS” who informed him on their activities, including the latest initiative by “DEMOS” to tackle worker inequality and lack of transparency when it comes to temporary service contracts in the District’s education sector.
The Supervisor underscored that the District needs transparent, efficient, and sustainable public sector hiring practices that will eliminate corruption and restrict temporary service contracts to those instances when the required expertise cannot be sourced from the existing pool of workers. The OHR will continue providing support to all stakeholders in Brčko towards achieving this aim.
On Monday evening, the PDHR/Brčko Supervisor Mennuti will co-host the ceremony marking the 77th United Nations Day and the 30 years of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a Member State of the United Nations, together with UN Resident Coordinator in BiH Ingrid Macdonald.
