Transparency International in BiH received two court judgments against the Ministry of Economy and against the Government of Canton 10 for concealing information about the concession for the exploitation of groundwater at the Poljane location in Livno.
In both cases, neither the Ministry nor the Government provided responses or administrative files at the request of the Cantonal Court in Livno, further demonstrating the authorities’ intention to completely ignore legal obligations. We remind you that TI BiH filed these lawsuits due to the persistent refusal of the authorities to explain to the public whether the annulment of the contract for the transfer of this controversial concession was considered.
The Livno City Council withdrew its previously given conditional consent for this concession a year ago. Since then, the Ministry of Economy has been expected to initiate a procedure to review the concession, as well as the contract between the companies “
The court has now ordered the Government and the Ministry to explain to the public within 15 days whether the annulment of the contract was considered.
Transparency International in BiH has repeatedly approached the competent ministry with inquiries about whether the annulment of that contract was considered and whether steps were taken based on previous recommendations from the working body, which as early as 2021 suggested that certain acts related to this concession be annulled. It was also requested that the ministry explain its further steps, given that the opinion of the local community, which opposes these projects because they threaten the environment and drinking water sources, was not considered during the concession award.
Last year, the Minister of Economy stated at a meeting with residents, representatives of TI BiH, CCI, and the Aarhus Center that the concession would be reviewed and a decision would be made regarding it. However, the authorities’ behavior so far indicates that there is no real intention to abandon this project.
TI BiH has previously warned that legal procedures were violated during the concession award. The Prosecutor’s Office of Canton 10 has meanwhile informed TI BiH that, following a criminal complaint by the informal group of citizens “Protect Mandeka Springs”, it has opened an investigation against several individuals due to illegalities related to this concession.
As stated, the decision to initiate the investigation was made after the allegations from the complaint were verified, relevant documentation from administrative procedures was analyzed, and numerous witnesses were heard.
