Visit-Montenegro.com:They keep identities of debtors hidden

Budva-Though the municipality collected merely one-fifth out of the planned amount from utility charges, or about EUR 14.5 million, still EUR 63 million is left to be collected. The municipality is not willing to reveal the identities of debtors-exactly those who put the city on the verge of financial collapse, more than a year ago. The implementation of many investment projects is in question.
Unlike few other competent local departments, the Directorate for Public Investments informed the Daily Press “Vijesti“ that they were ready to announce the identities of debtors and the sum of money they owe, in few days, as soon as they examine the documentation.
The Mayor of Budva, Rajko Kuljaca avoided to reveal the identities of unreliable payers in the recent interview for the Daily Press “Vijesti“.
„It is truth that a number of investors owe money for utility charges but we will collect it. I am not afraid of anyone, but I don’t intend to make a public list of debtors. There is an official register of debtors and everybody should be aware that the municipality will collect the receivables“-Kuljaca claimed.
One year ago, he made a similar statement when he announced a radical operation of cutting off water and electricity to all unreliable payers. Not even then he revealed their identities.
The fact that not even one building was cut off water and electricity in the last four and half a year confirms that the municipality was more than flexible towards unreliable payers.
„600 households, more than 10 hoteliers and more than 300 investors didn’t pay the utility charges. The municipality is determined to collect the money - six special teams work on it constantly, with our active support. In case the municipality fails to reach an agreement with debtors, concerning paying utility charges, we will have to cut off water and electricity to all these objects, in accordance with law. When we collect the money, we will continue with the implementation of planned investments and we will be the leading municipality in the region, again“-Kuljaca said, almost two months ago.
As it previously has been announced from the municipality, those hoteliers who have not paid utility charges are investors of "Avala", "As" and "Mediteran" and some other hoteliers. It is unknown how much a Russian Mirax has paid out of EUR 7 million, which is the sum that should be given for construction works on Zavala.
The company “Montenegro Stars”, the owner of "Splendid", "Montenegro" and "Blue Star", has paid more than it should have; therefore, the municipality has to give them back 2 and a half million.
During this year Budva has planned to collect EUR 77 million from utility charges and to use this money for capital projects. Comparing to the last year when 34.2 was collected from utility charges or the year before last when only EUR 20 million was collected, it could be concluded that this year plan has been more than ambitions. According to the estimates of the local administration, there are at least EUR 100 million of uncollected utility charges in the field.
Few months ago, the municipality adopted a decision on paying utility charges-from this time on, each of the investors, before starting any kind of construction work and getting building permit will have to come to the City Hall and conclude an agreement on paying utility charges.

By V.L.