Prime Minister Marković requests construction of kindergarten in Bar to be stopped

"In the Municipality of Bar, there is a clear lack of space of preschool institutions. In two previous years, the number of children in kindergartens has increased by 50%," said PM Marković.

He added that when agreeing on the financial arrangement, the municipality already had a defined location in line with a valid detailed spatial plan, which did not include any objections from any party during the public debate. It was only in the phase of preparation of the location for the beginning of works that an initiative to ban works was launched, which resulted in civil protests.

"We believed that emotions would not prevail the need to invest in the future, and as a responsible government we wanted the best conditions for children in Bar. We were convinced that in Montenegro there can be no difference or a policy preventing us from working in the interest of the generations to come," the Prime Minister said.

He said that he is sorry that a number of citizens of Bar did not recognise the Government's intention to ensure a better quality of growing up for their children and grandchildren: "On the contrary, civil resistance to the project has grown into a political platform that has not been barred by organisers."

"For that reason, I requested the Public Works Directorate to terminate the contract for the construction of a kindergarten in Bar and to arrange the existing location by planting 90 cypresses. The Ministry of Education will, in cooperation with the creditor, redirect EUR 2.5 million for the construction of facilities for the same purpose in another city where we have ready documentation, where there is agreement on the common interest," the Prime Minister explained.

Choosing a new location in Bar, he added, requires complex and long procedures, so he asked the citizens of Bar for patience while creating planning, project and other conditions for the construction of a new kindergarten.