Mašković to Request Constitutional Court Review of Podgorica Waterworks’ 41% Water Price Hike.
Mašković, Photo: European Union
The leader of the European Union Councilors’ Club within the Capital City Assembly, Miloš Mašković, has declared his intention to file an initiative with the Constitutional Court to examine the constitutionality and legality of the Podgorica Waterworks Board of Directors’ decision, which resulted in a 41 percent increase in water prices.
According to Mašković, this decision was enacted unlawfully and is detrimental to the citizenry, as the legally mandated procedures were not adhered to.
He also noted that the parliamentary majority’s absence from the session on November 11 of the previous year clearly indicated their disagreement with this price hike. As per the Law on Communal Activities, this should have resulted in a temporary reduction of water prices by 10 percent, rather than an illegal increase.
Mašković stated, “The application of an unlawful price list also jeopardizes the public interest, as highlighted in Article 29 of the Law on Communal Services, which stipulates that public interest is upheld, in part, through the approval of the price list for utility services or the supply of utility products.”
Furthermore, he pointed out that the debts incurred by Vodovod stem from mismanagement, politically motivated personnel practices, and ongoing negligence from the new leadership.
He remarked, “The loss of several million euros last year, coupled with politically motivated hiring and poor management, combined with the current administration’s failure to identify sustainable solutions, has created this predicament. The mayor even referenced bankruptcy as a possibility, which is a clear admission of failure in managing a key municipal enterprise.”
Mašković contended that the increase in water prices is merely a temporary remedial strategy within the Water Authority’s budget, lacking strategic planning and responsible forecasting.
“This issue is not solely economic; it is also a political decision that unjustly places the burden of incompetence on the citizens. The water utility is in six million euros of debt, and this administration has not taken any meaningful steps towards stabilization, aside from directly dipping into citizens’ pockets,” he asserted.
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