INTERVIEW: ČEDOMIR LUKIĆ, MINISTER OF PHYSICAL PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THE GOVERNMENT OF KS
By: Hamed IBIŠEVIĆ
SARAJEVO, April 15 (ONASA) – In an interview for ONASA Independent News Agency Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection in the Government of KS Čedomir Lukić talks about the new organization of the Government of KS and the reasons for the formation of the new Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection, the current state of the field of housing, illegal construction, environmental protection, usurpation of green space, and other topics.
ONASA: With the appointment of new ministers in KS Government, Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection will also start working, led by you. How and why did it come to the formation of this new ministry?
LUKIĆ: The new organization of the KS Government is a result of the existing situation, where there is a strong need to address issues related to the communal economy as the most complex task. Thus the Ministry of Utility Industry and Infrastructure was formed, as well as the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection.
ONASA: Does the formation of this ministry imply the abolition of the Ministry of Housing Policy which you led so far, or the tasks in jurisdiction of the former ministry will be incorporated into the tasks under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Utility Industry and Infrastructure?
LUKIĆ: The formation of new ministries does not mean the abolition of the Ministry of Housing Policy, but the newly formed Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection will unify the jurisdiction of the old Ministry on Housing Policy and the two sectors of the old Ministry of Physical Planning and Environmental Protection: the Department of Physical Planning and the Department of Environmental Protection.
ONASA: As a person with ample experience, how would you assess the situation in the area of housing policy, regulatory and urban planning in the area of Sarajevo Canton?
LUKIĆ: Situation in these three segments I consider to be largely well regulated, although there is still room for improvement.
ONASA: Will the “job description” of your ministry include the tasks of the housing inspection because, unfortunately, we are witnessing various accidents caused by the desire for profit of some privateers, sometimes even with fatal consequences?
LUKIĆ: The newly formed ministry, as I said, retains all activities as before, so in the future we will continue to have tasks of housing inspections.
ONASA: What is your opinion on the ever expanding and reckless usurpation of green spaces with constructions, or on the construction of housing facilities in areas of landslides and similar?
LUKIĆ: Sarajevo Canton is an area that is covered by the physical planning documents to the fullest extent, and any construction in accordance with the same is acceptable. Of course, illegal construction is what requires maximum commitment in terms of any shortcomings in the area as well as in terms of possible usurpation of green areas, as well as the proposed architectural solutions.
ONASA: How much attention will the Ministry that you lead devote to environmental protection and are you eventually going to try to implement some ideas and projects following the examples in the neighborhood, or in the region, such as waste recycling, sorting by plastic or aluminum packaging?
LUKIĆ: Attention has been devoted to the environmental protection so far, and it will be continued in the future. Activities in the area of waste, ie its collection and overall management, represent the continuity of our work, however they will be intensified.
ONASA: At one time there was the idea of upgrading new apartments on buildings with flat roofs for the young people, or those with lower financial possibilities. Will these issues and needs be paid due consideration by your ministry?
LUKIĆ: Ministry will be fully engaged in solving housing issues of young people and other citizens of Canton, although the issue of upgrading apartments on flat-roof buildings is closely related to the issue of ownership of the same, and can only be addressed in this context.
ONASA: Will the forming of new Ministry ultimately result with the closure of certain jobs in the Ministry of Housing Policy?
LUKIĆ: Forming of the new ministries is envisaged, and is implemented, so that there are no closure of jobs or lay-offs of workers. The new systematization of jobs will only improve the organization of all departments and administrations. (end)