Skopje, 26 November 2024 (MIA) – Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Izet Mexhiti said on Tuesday that the government will step in to support Skopje’s Public Transport Enterprise JSP if the fuel procurement tender fails.

“The goal of this Government is decentralization, which is evident from the funds allocated this year, €100 million for municipalities, and next year, €250 million, again for municipalities, to strengthen decentralization. However, when municipalities cannot manage, the Government steps in because our priority is the citizens. This means that even when it is not our obligation, the Government will step up...We would like municipalities to be strong and well-managed, but when they cannot cope, our priority is the citizens, especially Skopje, as the capital city," said Mexhiti when asked for a comment regarding recent information that no one has yet applied for JSP’s fuel tender, and whether the Government still has the capacity to support JSP if the tender fails.

Regarding the procurement of 120 electric buses, he confirmed that discussions are underway and that no one disputes the necessity of such a measure. As for whether this could have been implemented earlier, he stated, "Better late than never."

The Government, at an emergency session held last week, approved the allocation of 250,000 liters of fuel from state reserves as a loan to JSP to address the collapse of public transportation in Skopje, after a large number of buses were unable to operate due to a lack of fuel.

Photo: MIA