“We expect that in the next period, the republic institutions will also accept this clear position of Banja Luka, that is, they will not continue with the procedure for the construction of hydropower plants on the Vrbas. As the Coalition for Vrbas, we gather the most active associations from the city area, and we have a very clear position that there is no possibility for the construction of new hydropower plants on the Vrbas. Hydropower plants are harmful to nature and people, they are not economically viable, they represent outdated technology and endanger the quality of life in the city in many respects! “, Said Nataša Crnković, president of the Center for Environment.
Nikola Stanković, director of the Kayak Canoe Club ”Vrbas”, said that today’s meeting gave everyone hope that there would be no announced hydropower plants.
“We have been in the Coalition for Vrbas from the very beginning and we are of the opinion that hydropower plants should not be built on this river, and not only because of kayaking as a sport. “All citizens of Banja Luka and those who live by the rivers are against it,” Stanković emphasised.
“We expect that in the next period, the republic institutions will also accept this clear position of Banja Luka, that is, they will not continue with the procedure for the construction of hydropower plants on the Vrbas. As the Coalition for Vrbas, we gather the most active associations from the city area, and we have a very clear position that there is no possibility for the construction of new hydropower plants on the Vrbas. Hydropower plants are harmful to nature and people, they are not economically viable, they represent outdated technology and endanger the quality of life in the city in many respects! “, Said Nataša Crnković, president of the Center for Environment.
Nikola Stanković, director of the Kayak Canoe Club ”Vrbas”, said that today’s meeting gave everyone hope that there would be no announced hydropower plants.
“We have been in the Coalition for Vrbas from the very beginning and we are of the opinion that hydropower plants should not be built on this river, and not only because of kayaking as a sport. “All citizens of Banja Luka and those who live by the rivers are against it,” Stanković emphasised.
The city of Banja Luka did not accept the initiative from the relevant ministry for the construction of the Krupa na Vrbasu hydropower plant, announced the mayor of Banja Luka Igor Radojičić today at a meeting with representatives of the Coalition for Vrbas.
Representatives of the Coalition, which is consisted of 36 associations from Banja Luka, welcomed this attitude of the city and pointed out that they will continue to follow the plans for the construction of the Krupa hydropower plant.
“We expect that in the next period, the republic institutions will also accept this clear position of Banja Luka, that is, they will not continue with the procedure for the construction of hydropower plants on the Vrbas. As the Coalition for Vrbas, we gather the most active associations from the city area, and we have a very clear position that there is no possibility for the construction of new hydropower plants on the Vrbas. Hydropower plants are harmful to nature and people, they are not economically viable, they represent outdated technology and endanger the quality of life in the city in many respects! “, Said Nataša Crnković, president of the Center for Environment.
Nikola Stanković, director of the Kayak Canoe Club ”Vrbas”, said that today’s meeting gave everyone hope that there would be no announced hydropower plants.
“We have been in the Coalition for Vrbas from the very beginning and we are of the opinion that hydropower plants should not be built on this river, and not only because of kayaking as a sport. “All citizens of Banja Luka and those who live by the rivers are against it,” Stanković emphasised.
The mayor of Banja Luka, Igor Radojičić, pointed out that the city received the initiative for the construction of the new Krupa hydropower plant in April.
“Today, I presented our position to the representatives of these organisations and said that the city did not accept this initiative. We are returning the letter to the relevant ministry. In order for this initiative to be further considered, there must be an environmental impact assessment. This is what these non-governmental organisations are warning about, the Vrbas issue, the environment, air quality and everything else. None of this is absolved. There is no environmental impact analasys, and the legal obligation would be to make such an assessment, and that is why the City Administration returned the initiative to the proposer, “said Radojičić.
He added that the Assembly of the City of Banja Luka decided on the initiatives for the construction of hydropower plants on the Vrbas in 2005, and then also gave a negative opinion.
“When all that is taken into account, the initiative is returned to the proposer, Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske and the Subsidiary” Hidroelektrane na Vrbasu”, concluded Radojičić.
The opinion of the Coalition for Vrbas is that life should be brought back to the river, and their members will continue with activities that will promote the beauties of Vrbas, life on the Vrbas and its potential for sustainable sports and tourism activities that are excellent alternatives to hydropower plants, and could be of greater importance for Banja Luka and it’s surroundings.