ELEK: PROCESS OF GASIFICATION OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA IN PROGRESS, LARGEST PROJECT IN HISTORY

BANJA LUKA, MARCH 14 /SRNA/ – Director of the company "Sarajevo-Gas" Nedeljko Elek told SRNA that the process of gasification of Republika Srpska is underway, a project worth BAM 1.02 billion and the largest in its history, financed from the budget, with a four-year deadline for completion.

"We have completed everything. The project, tender documentation, and public procurement have been finalized. We expect the signing of contracts with contractors," Elek said in SRNA’s podcast, reminding that the gasification project is the result of a gas arrangement with Russia. He explained that the project involves all institutions of Republika Srpska, noting that the head of the coordination team is the Prime Minister Savo Minić. "We will also have a special law on the construction of the main gas pipeline. We will have gas stations in every municipality and city - 18 of them. This is a major turning point for the entire appearance of our Republic, and nothing will be the same afterward," Elek emphasized. He noted that the initiative to build the pipeline was launched by President Milorad Dodik, who requested that the pipeline be brought to Banja Luka as soon as possible due to the problems the city faces. "We will start in August this year, and in 18 months we will reach Banja Luka. Banja Luka has the biggest problems with heating and ecology. It is often listed as one of the most polluted cities in the world," Elek said. He listed numerous benefits of gasification, emphasizing in particular that the price of a cubic meter of gas is BAM 1, while water costs BAM 1.5. "Banja Luka will get gas and you will have a cheaper energy source that is also environmentally friendly," Elek emphasized. Speaking about the Federation of BiH, Elek said it is 100 percent dependent on Russian gas and that it is incomprehensible why some politicians take a hostile stance toward Russia. "You have Željko Komšić putting on a T-shirt and going to Ukraine to support someone. That is a crazy policy that will cost the citizens of the Federation the most. I ask them how they will explain to citizens that they will have to pay more expensive gas," Elek stated. STORY ABOUT EU LOSING MEANING, BRUSSELS IS A SLOW ADMINISTRATION Elek said that the European Union, or Brussels, conditions many countries through energy arrangements and is therefore no longer a desirable partner. "We must use good relations with the Russians and Americans and build our own story. This gas pipeline is proof of that. I had constructive talks with representatives of the US Embassy, who supported the project and have nothing against it," Elek said. He stressed that Republika Srpska should develop individual relations with EU member states, citing Hungary and Slovakia as examples. "The economy should not be tied to politics. I believe EU partners cooperating with Republika Srpska and the Federation will continue cooperation regardless of political relations. They are interested in whether we have a competitive and affordable product for them", Elek stressed.