Waste crisis in Pristina, Ombudsman reacts after Rama's refusal for a meeting

The Ombudsman has reacted to the deterioration of the waste management situation in the Municipality of Pristina, assessing this situation as a real risk to public health and the safety of citizens.

In an effort to better understand the problem and its impact on citizens' rights, the Ombudsman invited the Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, and the management of the company "Pastrimi" to a meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to listen to both sides and examine the consequences that this crisis has for the company's over 800 employees and all residents of the capital.

However, representatives of the Municipality of Pristina announced at the last minute that they would not participate in the meeting, offering reasons that, according to the Ombudsman, are unfounded and constitute a lack of respect for this constitutional institution. According to him, this stance of the municipality is an indicator of irresponsibility towards the interests of citizens and the serious crisis that is escalating in the city.

The meeting was attended only by the CEO of KRM “Pastrimi”, Mr. Petrit Reçica, who presented documents and evidence proving that there is a regulation approved by the Municipal Assembly, but which, according to him, is not being implemented by the municipality. The failure to implement this regulation, according to Reçica, has brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy and has called into question salaries, fuel supply and the regular operation of cleaning services.

The Ombudsman has emphasized that, for the time being, he will not come up with a final position without hearing the other party – the Municipality of Pristina – but has considered the damage being caused to citizens and workers, including the risk of spreading an epidemic due to waste collection, to be inevitable.

He recalls that the Municipality of Pristina has a direct responsibility to ensure regular and quality public services, and has an obligation to find an urgent solution to the current situation.

"In the coming days, the Ombudsman will make new efforts to hold a meeting with the Mayor of Pristina, with the aim of clarifying this situation and taking on the role of mediator to resolve this problem," the institution's announcement states. /Telegrafi/