November 13 – December 7
20 more meetings were held between residents of different localities and municipal authorities in 11 municipalities of Kosovo within the project “Increasing accountability of local government institutions”, supported by the British Embassy in Pristina.
Tens of people have had the opportunity to present their requests related to issues that affect their daily life and fall into the local government level competences. The latter, in addition to clarification, have shown readiness to provide realistic solutions by pledging to include in the budget planning for the coming year a large number of requests they have collected in the field.
Zgatar, Dragash
Drinking water, lack of sidewalks throughout the village, signage, investment at the school stadium along with the accompanying oasis as well as a transport line linking Opoja with Dragash, were among the demands of the inhabitants of Zgatar village in Dragash which were presented during the meeting with municipal representatives. From the present municipal officials, explanations and additional information on the 2019 budget for this village were provided as well as the commitment that the requests in question will be addressed to the Mayor and that efforts will be made to ensure that the demands of the residents are implemented during the mandate.
Vranishtë, Dragash
For residents of the village of Vranishtë in Dragash, priority is given to drinking water requirements, utensils and infrastructure subsidies for livestock farmers, beekeepers, village infrastructure (Fountain) etc. They made these known at the meeting they had with representatives of the municipality under the organization of KDI. The municipal officials provided explanations and additional information about the 2019 budget for this village as well as the pledge that the requests in question will be addressed to the mayor and efforts will be made to implement them.
Mamusha
Residents of Mamusha seek to address some of the problems they face regarding drinking water, sewage in some of the neighborhoods, lack of a public nursery in the municipality, lack of gynecologist, reactivation of the Mothers and Children Counseling within the MFMC, stomatologist at QKMF, lack of library in the municipality, lack of waiting stations for passengers (cabs), lack of public lighting in the neighborhood “Asker”, etc.These were announced at the meeting organized by KDI, between residents and municipal representatives who then provided explanations and additional information about the
budget for 2019 as well as the commitment that the requests in question will all be addressed to the Mayor and the will be efforts made for them to be addressed.
Tërstenë, Mitrovica
Residents of the village of Tërstenë in Mitrovica also disclosed their requests and concerns to municipal officials. Concerning these residents remains the poor condition of the school where only four pupils attend the school, then the problems with the road infrastructure are visible and the need for intervention in some parts is urgent, village conection to the water supply network and subsidies for farmers and village farmers. The municipal directors who were part of the meeting with these residents under the organization of KDI expressed their willingness to contribute to the well-being of citizens by examining each of their requests and promising the realization of some of the priorities presented by the residents of Tërstenë.
Dardhishtë, Obiliq
At the next meeting organized by KDI in the village of Dardhishte in Obiliq, residents complained about the high number of unemployed people in the village. Air pollution and the lack of green spaces are also a concern of these residents, calling their village as a KEK landfill, but not leaving aside the infrastructure regulation in Dardhishtë. The municipal officials present at the meeting said that in 2019 will end 90% of road infrastructure, sewerage network and public lighting. Also this year is expected to add 5 parks to Dardhishtë contributing at least a little to the improvement of the environment in this village.
Kamenica
KDI organized a meeting between a group of taxi drivers and municipal officials in Kamenica. This came as a result of a problem they are considering as unfair, which has to do with prohibiting the transportation of passengers from Gjilan to Kamenica. Municipal officials stressed that they would discuss it as an issue, and analyze the possibilities of how to reach a solution.
Vasilevo, Drenas
Lack of water, sewage in agricultural lands, the bad economic condition of the two families that need housing, the poor mobile phone network, were some of the concerns that the residents of Vasilevo of Drenas presented to municipal officials in the meeting organized by KDI, in the framework of the project “increasing accountability of local institutions in Kosovo”. Municipal officials speaking about residents’ concerns said they would work to adjust them, while stressing that Vasileva is in the municipal project for removing sewerage from the villages. While, they also added that the received the announcement from the Ministry of Communities and Return that the municipality has benefited for the construction of 10 houses, but that even though they have been finished over 2 months the have not received any information from this ministry, although according to them they have try to contact them.
Shtutica, Drenas
Lack of drinking water, the long road to school, the lack of heating in the school, the need to pave the streets in the neighborhood, have been some of the problems that the women of the village of Shtutica of Drenas addressed to the municipal authorities at the meeting organized by KDI. In this meeting, the Director of Agriculture and Administration presented the investment plans made for 2019. They stressed that the road Verbovc-Shtutica-Polluzha will be asphalted next year. Regarding the lack of heat in schools, they stressed that in the coming weeks contracts with PRB will be signed, where schools will then be supplied with fuel (wood). Meanwhile, for the lack of supply with drinking water, they agreed that the women of this village meet next week with competent municipal officials to obtain the most accurate information.
Sankoc, Drenas
The danger of gun shooting in the polygon which is in the open environment and not further than 400 meters from the school, the lack of a bus line during the weekend, the high price of the monthly ticket, the 3 km road that students walk to school, were among the main concerns that residents of the village of Sankoc presented to the municipal authorities. Residents were also worried about works not according to the plans that were made during the works on the sewerage and on the road. Meanwhile, the municipal authorities said that for concerns such as polygon, student transport, and bus line, their requests would be addressed to the relevant directorates, while it was promised that sewerage problems would be solved next year , as well as the extension of the water supply network.
Carallukë, Malishevë
The first public discussion between the women of the village of Carralluka, official from the Municipality of Malisheva and the official for Gender Equality of the Municipality was held. For residents, a priority remains the requirements related to drinking water, the lack of public transport that would connect the villages with the city and vice versa, the renovation of the first school building “Imer Krasniqi”. The Gender Equality Officer provided explanations and additional information on the 2019 budget for this village as well as gave the commitment that the requests in question will be addressed to the Mayor and efforts to extend the issues discussed by the Assembly will be made .
Tërpezë, Viti
KDI organized a meeting in the village of Trepeza in Vitia, between village women and municipal officials. The main problems that arose in this meeting relate to rare public transport and the absence of a buffet in the village school. Women asked for a kitchen that would ensure them employment and enable them to provide healthy food to their children.
Viti
KDI organized a meeting between the residents of the social housing and the Director of Health and Social Welfare in Vitia Municipality. These residents had the opportunity to address their problem,
which is related to the electricity line, which during the rainfall has contact with the water. The present director said he would raise it as an issue and try to find solutions as soon as possible.
Viti
The next meeting in the municipality of Vitia took place between a group of taxi drivers and municipal officials. At this meeting, the taxi drivers had the opportunity to address their problem, which has to do with parking spaces. The present officials noted they would consider it as an issue, and try to find a solution to their problem.
Bitinja, Shtërpcë
At the meeting between residents of Bitinje village of Shterpce and municipal officials, organized by KDI, it was discussed about the problems these residents have. For residents, infrastructure problems and also problems with water pipes and sewage system remain worrisome. Municipal officials promised that these problems will be addressed and resolved according to the possibilities that this municipality has.
KDI held a meeting with women and municipal officials at the same locality where they discussed the challenges they face. The main problem remains unemployment.
Another meeting was held with a group of students and artists in Shtërpcë. In the discussion that this group of young people had with the officials of the municipality of Shtërpcë, they recalled that through art can help solve many urban planning problems and discussed about the possibilities of cooperation in this regard.
Caglavica, Gracanica
KDI organized a meeting with residents of Çagllavica village of Municipality of Gracanica as well as the officials of this municipality during which the good example of inter-municipal cooperation that these citizens living on the border with Pristina give and how important and necessary this cooperation is was emphasized. Further, these residents emphasized that most of the problems they have come from the territory of the municipality of Pristina, such as illegal landfills and sewage.
Blac, Dragash
A meeting was also held with the residents of Blaç village in Dragash and local authorities, focusing on the lack of police signaling and patrols in this area, generally for public safety not only of school students but also the residents of the village. From the deputy mayor who was part of this meeting, the participants were recommended to draft a petition and request and address the same issue in the municipality. He then said that all forms of risk remediation and solution of the problem would be looked at.
Dragash
KDI organized a meeting between residents of a collective building and municipal officials in Dragash, as they are facing constant problems with the sewage system being directly endangered by sewage. This problem was discussed during the meeting, while the deputy mayor promised to solve this problem over the next year.
Krakoshta, Dragash
The meeting with some residents of the neighborhood Krakoshta of Dragash and municipal officials under the organization of KDI addressed the problem of the lack of public lighting in this area, inhabitable with about 80 houses. From the municipal executives, with the mayor also present, explanations and information on the possibility of solving the problem were provided. It was said that the municipality, verify the situation through working specialists and after a concrete report from the field, it will then be looked at the following options for remedying the problem through the budget line for 2019.
Dragash
Residents of Dragash, in the presence of municipal officials addressed their concern about the blockage of the sidewalks along the entire main road, from cars, street vendors and others, as well as lack of signaling in this area to prevent sidewalks from being entirely blocked. From the deputy mayor and the director of public services, participants were given explanations about finding a solution to the problem in question. He then recommended them to submit the request in writing to the offices of the municipality and that opportunities will be seen with the institutions (police) to make the right choice for residents of this neighborhood.