23.07.2014.

Minister Gasic and General Dikovic visited Uzice

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic and Head of the General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic visited Uzice today, where they talked to the citizens and officials of the local self-government about the issue of water supply in that city. Minister Gasic and General Dikovic visited places in the central city streets where drinking water tanks are placed and met representatives of the Uzice Hospital.

Minister Gasic pointed out that, as a representative of the Government, he insists for the authorities to fully investigate if the current situation in Uzice has been brought about by a human error, and that it must be called for an emergent resignation by all authorities of this city, because it is no longer acceptable to treat the citizens of Uzice irresponsibly.

- The Government of the Republic of Serbia will not allow for any local self-government to treat their work and health of the citizens of Serbia irresponsibly. The Armed Forces of Serbia are at disposal for everything that is necessary in this period – Minister of Defence pointed out, adding that it is encouraging that the analyses are very good at this moment and that this incident will be resolved quite soon, but that the mistakes that had been made in the past period are unforgivable and thus an emergent session of the town’s Assembly must be held. Minister Gasic added that another tank of water will be delivered to the Uzice Hospital, in order for the hemodialysis to be operational as soon as tomorrow morning.

While discussing further steps in the long-term resolution of the water supply issue in Uzice, Minister Gasic stressed that, during the meeting, modernization of the water factory in that city had also been discussed. He also pointed out that it will take several years for this enterprise, but that it is necessary to also consider alternative solutions to the problem, stating that the issue of water supply must be legally regulated.

After the declaration of a state of emergency in Uzice due to polluted drinking water, the Armed Forces of Serbia sent ten tanks of drinking water to that city, to be at disposal of citizens of Uzice for as long as needed, along with 3,000 liters of bottled water.