Stopping the construction of a factory in the Blagaj settlement in Novigrad is the goal of the residents of this place of return. The main reason why they persist in the fight is the fear that the works could endanger the environment and the very course of the Sana River, which is located in the immediate vicinity, and for which they claim that the contractor does not even have a permit.
Blagaj, a returnee settlement in Novi Grad. Everyday life, which is already difficult, is made difficult for the locals by the works behind the company “Japra”, not far from their houses, along the Sana River. They assure them that it is a factory for grinding dolomite which, they say, would only cause them harm. Hasan Šumić remembers 2014 and the floods in this same place.
HASAN ŠUMIĆ, resident of Blagaj settlement
“Here, under this bridge, the water used to pass ‘thinly’. Now with this embankment, it will be threatened, as well as road communication in the surrounding villages. Will it cause dust, harm our crops? If I don’t have my vegetables to eat, what will I do? And probably will”.
No one even asked for the consent of the locals. They did not answer us whether the company “Japra” has the necessary permits, the Environmental Impact Assessment Study, as well as everything else that is needed. The locals claim that they don’t have any.
FIKRET HALILOVIĆ, resident of Blagaj settlement
“They say that the project is under construction, they don’t have it, they started work on the bluff and got nothing. Those winds will not be what they were. They will stay with us, but they don’t need to, they need to go somewhere. Which way will they go for that everything needs studies to explain to citizens and to agree to such a thing”.
HASAN RASAVAC, councilor in OV Novi Grad
“We are not against construction, industry, employment, but we are against outdated technology that will only cause harm and drive away these few people. What do people live on here? From agriculture. Tomorrow there is dust here. I know it will be, they are just lying, messing around “.
The head reminds that the mentioned land is owned by the company Japra. He asked for guarantees that similar factories already exist in urban areas and that there is no danger to the environment.
MIROSLAV DRLJAČA, Mayor of the Municipality of Novi Grad
“In the media it was said that it was a factory of artificial fertilizer. No, that is not the story, but that material, calcium carbonate, is ground and packed. Those fractions are used for soils that are too acidic”.
The works are still going on. With or without permits, it is questionable, but the locals say they will not give up. They plan to organize a peaceful protest in order to draw the attention of the authorities to react in accordance with the law, BHRT writes.
