The results of the monitoring conducted by Istinomjer and the association of citizens “Why not” (”Zasto ne”), on the fulfillment of pre-election promises, showed that the local level of government achieves better results than the government at higher levels, makes more concrete promises that are closer to the needs of citizens, and therefore the percentage of fulfilled promises is higher.
The monitoring covered a total of 500 promises in 12 local self-government units, of which only 28 were fulfilled after three years of mandate.
“Every year before the publication of our monitoring, we contact the headmen and mayors in order for them to give us an insight into the implementation of their pre-election promises. This year we received responses from 7 of them, which represents a significant improvement compared to previous years when there were about one or two responses, “ said Amina Izmirlic Catovic, the association of citizens “Why not”.
Although the local authorities support monitoring, the Mayor of Novo Sarajevo Hasan Tanovic assessed the methodology as questionable because Istinomjer in some cases did not take into account the nature of the projects. He does not agree that only two pre-election promises have been fulfilled because, as he said, the keys to the apartment for children without parental care will be handed over on Friday, and part of the University of Sarajevo Campus has been turned into a park.
“I analyzed and looked at these things. There are promises that are simply permanent and continuous and they will continue to be made during my mandate, they will continue after my mandate. So, they do not end, “ stated Hasan Tanovic, Mayor of the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo.
The Mayor of Banovici Municipality, Bego Gutic, believes that a significant number of promises have been fulfilled, especially when it comes to the development of the economy and infrastructure. Although they promised to reduce the prices of heating and communal services, they point out that due to market conditions, the price of energy could not be influenced.
“In the past 3 years, energy has become more expensive. From gas, coal, … Just for your information, when we talk about heating in Banovici, we have a 100 percent increase in coal compared to the beginning of the mandate. Our heating plant used to pay for a ton of coal 113 BAM and today it is 220 BAM, “ explained Bego Gutic, Mayor of Banovici Municipality.
The highest percentage of fulfilled promises of 75% was recorded in Gracanica. They lack funds for some projects, which they say will not be fulfilled because they need help from higher levels of government.
“We’ve been talking about the sports hall for three years. It’s finished, now we’re waiting for the exterior decoration. The project we’ve been dragging on for 8 years because it will primarily serve high school students. We were promised by the ministries, the government that they would participate in it. Unfortunately, we had to take a loan. And now the Government of the Federation has given certain funds these days, “ told Nusret Helic, Mayor of the City of Gracanica.
In addition to Gracanica, Gradacac, the municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo, Banovici and Banja Luka achieved significant success in the percentage of fulfilled promises. The “Why not” association and Istinomjer emphasize that there is a difference in the number of promises made in local communities. In Gracanica, that number is 72, and in Banja Luka, there are 10 promises made.
E.Dz.
