Skopje, 4 November 2024 (MIA) - Pollution is a complex issue that cannot be solved with one measure, but several. The package of measures that will be adopted will slowly but surely generate cleaner air and a cleaner environment, First Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Izet Mexhiti said Monday.

As a positive example he mentioned the Government's most recent project to allocate funds to municipalities for the realization of capital projects, 40 percent of which are intended for environmental projects and underground infrastructure that will indirectly help with cleaner air.

"We are working on reducing pollution, which is an issue. It's true that Skopje and other cities in Macedonia have been highly polluted for a long time now, especially urban environments, it is also true that in recent years the days when the air is most polluted are decreasing. The ministry and Government have other measures as well. In the coming days we will put in place underground infrastructure in all municipalities with EUR 50 million from the European Investment Bank, which was not used until now," Mexhiti told journalists during his visit to the Drisla landfill in Skopje.

According to analysis in several cities the main factor for environmental pollution are households that use firewood and other inadequate fuels for heating.

"We are also working with large polluters for installing filters and taking necessary measures. We need long-term projects, not only short-term ones. One of them can be the urban gasification project which could solve the problem of households, industry, and public institutions, that use mazut for heating and other pollutants," Mexhiti explained.

Citizens are involved in coming up with solutions regarding the protest in Kochani and prohibition of Kochani public enterprise trucks to enter the landfill.

"We must work on regional landfills. The Bechtel & Enka enterprise was tasked with helping Kochani clean up the landfill. We have a problem with regional landfills, because nobody wants to have a landfill nearby and have the garbage collected. However, I believe that slowly by explaining that it is for their benefit and for the betterment of the environment, we will find a way," Mexhiti said.

He added that the Environment Ministry received a EUR 55 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the construction of regional landfills, but due to poor commitment and communication with citizens, it remains unrealized.

"We are waiting to first start with the regional landfill in Sveti Nikole and the Pelagonija region, and we are looking for a solution within the Mining and Energy Combine REK Bitola landfill to be turned into a waste collecting center. We will use everything available to improve the environment," stressed Mexhiti. ssh/ba/

Photo: MIA