MILOVANOVIĆ: SIGNIFICANT RESULTS ACHIEVED IN FLOOD PROTECTION

BIJELJINA, JANUARY 8 /SRNA/ - Vode Srpske achieved significant results over the past year in implementing flood protection measures and maintaining water management facilities, with particular emphasis on emergency flood protection measures in Prijedor, Acting Director of this public institution Miroslav Milovanović told SRNA.

"The Government of Republika Srpska allocated substantial funds for the regular maintenance of water management facilities, and during 2025, channels and embankments with a total length of 560 kilometres were regulated in the areas of Prijedor, Kozarska Dubica, Gradiška, Srbac, Derventa, Brod, Modriča, Vukosavlje, Šamac, Donji Žabar, Pelagićevo, and Bijeljina," Milovanović stated. He said that construction of the first section of the Drina embankment in Semberija has been completed, from the confluence of the Janja River with the Drina to the sluice gate in Janja, spanning a length of 2.8 kilometres. Milovanović emphasized that the public institution Vode Srpske is ready to continue construction of the second downstream section, from the sluice gate in Janja to the Orlovo Polje site, with a length of about 3.5 kilometres. "The Government of Republika Srpska has secured the necessary financial resources, but the City Administration of Bijeljina must resolve all property and legal issues along that section," he noted, expressing hope that the city of Bijeljina will fulfil its obligations as soon as possible so that construction of the embankment in Semberija can continue without delay. The Director of Vode Srpske pointed out that last year special focus was placed on the implementation of emergency flood protection measures in Prijedor, following floods that struck the area at the end of March. "The Government of Republika Srpska reacted immediately and adopted a decision on the implementation of emergency measures for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of water management facilities in Prijedor, allocating 5.5 million KM for that purpose," Milovanović said. He added that the institution is satisfied with the results achieved in 2025 in implementing flood protection projects, maintaining water management facilities, carrying out other professional water management tasks, financial operations, and cooperation with Republika Srpska institutions, the economy and citizens. "The priority this year is to continue the construction of flood protection measures, primarily the completion of measures already initiated in the Prijedor area, as well as other priority measures across Republika Srpska," Milovanović said. Among the more significant projects completed last year, he highlighted the completed regulation of the Studeni Jadar River in Milići, as well as the Lubina River near the Karanovac Monastery in the Gradiška area.