The pressure on the residents of the MZ Žepa continues, who declare – ‘We will prevent the construction of the power plant with our bodies

The MZ Žepa clearly said no to the construction of a mini-hydropower plant on the Žepa River. Specifically, 130 residents oppose any construction, while only 2 residents were in favor of it.

Residents were supported at the protest by representatives of the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the associations that comprise it.

The Facebook page for Žepa reported that people are being subjected to bullying and that they are being promised much in return, warning the public about these pressures. The post also states that if necessary, the residents will prevent the construction of the power plant on the Žepa River with their bodies.

“The story around the hydropower plant on the Žepa River is not over. Yesterday and today, people who call themselves investors are bullying the locals to sign a petition for construction, promising them castles and cities. They are persistently explaining to people how the construction of the power plant is not harmful to the environment and to us, the residents of Žepa. They promise people things that we all know are unattainable. They promise road maintenance, which is the municipality’s obligation. They promise a doctor in the clinic, but we all know that this won’t happen. They promise large donations for MIZ Žepa, which has been functioning perfectly well and financed by its members. Some people who support the construction are calling those who signed the petition against it and convincing them otherwise. The main argument of the investors is that they are “ours” and that “theirs” will come, who won’t even ask us, and they will build it.

I would like to send a message to both our side and theirs that we will prevent the construction of the power plant with our bodies.

When I say we, I mean those who clearly and loudly said NO to the power plant on Friday. If they continue to threaten us with the construction of the power plant, we will form an ECO citizens’ association where we will try to contest the construction using all possible democratic and legal methods. We already have support from the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which operates throughout the country. We will receive all the legal and moral support from them.

And finally, be aware that the construction of mini-hydropower plants is prohibited in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the EU, and we have knowledge that an initiative will be launched in the RS parliament to ban their construction. I ask all those who oppose the construction of mini-hydropower plants to stay vigilant so we can be prepared and to lobby against the construction within our capabilities.