A recent session saw the majority of councilors from the ruling coalition ensuring that the citizens of Bar, along with their representation in the Municipal Assembly, were hindered from gaining adequate information regarding development projects and the municipality’s uncollectible claims, as stated in a joint declaration from the councilor clubs I Vote Montenegro – I Vote Bar and the Movement for Changes.

The councilors expressed their confusion as to why members of the ruling majority voted against a proposal from the Biram Bar and Movement for Changes party. This proposal aimed to have the Municipal Assembly direct the relevant Secretariat for Property and Investments to create a report detailing projects that would enhance the quality of life, particularly focusing on the water and sewage network, local road improvement, and resolving parking issues. “We are left wondering what objections the ruling councilors found in our proposal to inform the public of Bar about a report that would outline current projects within our municipality, including the implementation phase, estimated costs, funds utilized to date, and anticipated completion timelines,” the statement elaborated.

The councilor clubs believe that opposing such a proposal equates to opposing better information access for citizens regarding critical matters.

“Additionally, the ruling coalition’s councilors rejected a proposed conclusion from Movement for Changes councilor Aleksandar Lekić, which sought to have the Service for the Protection of Property and Legal Interests of the Municipality compile data on uncollectible claims.

“The Independent Auditor’s Report concerning the Final Account Proposal for the Municipality of Bar for 2024 notes certain claims whose collection is no longer feasible and underscores the urgency of considering their write-off,” the statement mentions.

Biram Bar and the Movement for Change assert that managing public finances necessitates high accountability, swift action, and timely legal measures for collection.

“Uncollectible receivables directly harm the municipal budget. Citizens deserve complete transparency regarding these issues.

“Yet, the ruling majority’s councilors voted against the Service for the Protection of Property Interests providing the public with information on uncollectible claims from legal entities related to communal land fees, the names of entities from which collection isn’t viable due to expired statutes of limitation, and the measures taken by the service over the years for collection,” they further explained.

They question the motives behind the ruling majority’s decision to keep such crucial information concealed from public view.

“Are there privileged investors whom the law either disregards or only applies to partially? What interests should the Municipality of Bar prioritize, and do citizens not deserve complete awareness about every euro of their finances managed by local authorities?”

Unfortunately, during the lengthy session, no counterarguments against our proposals were presented by our colleagues from the ruling majority. In fact, the relevant committee responsible for statute and regulations, comprising members from both the government and opposition, unanimously endorsed these proposals and recommended their adoption to the Parliament. However, during the vote, the majority opposed it. The core values ​​of a democratic society encompass the accountability of public administration and transparency—principles our parliamentary group will steadfastly champion as we continue to submit similar initiatives and seek accountability from those in authority,” the statement concluded.

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