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Citizens, activists of non-governmental organizations and members of certain political parties were prevented from attending the public debate on the Makiško polje construction plan. The City Planning Department says it is a restriction due to the pandemic, while citizens claim that the city government is ready to endanger people’s health due to private investors.
“Let me enter the Municipal Administration facilities for the session scheduled for 1 pm,” asked a citizen.
The main topic of the session is the plan that provides for the construction of residential buildings in Makiško polje, which would endanger Belgrade’s drinking water supply, activists say.
“If it endangers Makiško polje, the water source, if it makes this city collapse because it wants to raise big funds, it means that the public must be informed and participate, because that affects our lives,” says architect Sonja Pavlović.
Only a few citizens had a chance to participate in the discussion, and those were on the list of city authorities, because they raised objections to the proposed plan in advance.
That is not enough for citizens, because, as they say, this excludes the public from the debate, which is much broader than the 25 names on the list.
“Our 99 objections were appropriated by the city government, kidnapped and transferred somewhere and refused to be returned. If they are returned to us, it would mean that 99 citizens would have the right to speak their minds, even if they are not experts.” Dejan Jovanovic said. “Battle of Kosutnjak”.
Source: H1
Some on the list, however, sympathized with others and declined the invitation.
“We are that initiative. We are not drowning Belgrade. If not everyone enters, we will not enter either,” said Dobrica Veselinović.
And not everyone can enter the building to discuss because, as they say in the city’s Urban Planning Department, the coronavirus and the epidemiological measures that are in force.
“I think they wanted to cover up what was happening and quickly bring in various plans that are extremely important for the city of Belgrade this winter and during the pandemic,” says Veselinovic.
Therefore, citizens are asking for public hearings to be postponed until the conditions are met for everyone who is interested in them to participate, and until then they are telling the city government that we will not forgive you for the water.
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