Skopje, 24 January 2024 (MIA) — One in four citizens has witnessed or suspected corruption in local self-government institutions, Minister of Local Self-Government Risto Penov told a panel at the "Year of European Opportunities" conference held Wednesday in Skopje.

According to Penov, surveys also show that citizens are unhappy with the local mayors and the services provided by local municipalities.

He said the central government was in a constant tug of war with local self-government institutions, which sought solutions for their financial problems only by asking for more money.

"This year's priority will be to strengthen the capacity of the municipalities, both administratively and financially so they can more active and better involved in meeting citizens' needs," Penov said.

"Research has shown a tendency of increasing dissatisfaction in citizens with the services of their local self-government, primarily by the municipalities and the work of their mayors. Most concerning of all is the fact that one in four citizens has witnessed or suspected corruption in the work of local self-government," Penov said.

Strengthening the administrative capacity of the municipalities, he said, would be done through seminars, counseling, and providing assistance in hiring and retaining staff.

According to him, although urban building was completely decentralized, the number of illegal constructions was on the rise, with some municipalities not employing any construction inspectors.

"We have completely decentralized urbanism," Penov said. "The municipalities have full competence, but the number of illegal constructions is constantly increasing."

As examples of not having any construction inspectors, he listed the Municipality of Chair and the Municipality of Radovish.

Regarding the strengthening of their financial capacities, Penov recalled that the government in the budget rebalance allocated an additional EUR 32.5 million for 66 projects in 44 municipalities.

"We are in a constant 'war' with the municipalities, which seek the only way out of their financial [problems] from the central government, even though decentralization has given them tools for collecting funds: property tax, environmental fees," Penov said.

"They don't apply the rule 'Polluters must pay for the pollution.' Public areas are almost all free. The prices of public services are below normal. That's why they are registering losses, and their services are declining. Yet they are looking to be saved, saying 'Give us money'," Penov said. mr/