Ugljanin: Certain individuals in the North Mitrovica Assembly protected like "Polar Bears"

The President of North Mitrovica Municipality, Erden Atic, and the Director of Municipal Inspection, Fatir Berzati, did not present their six-month reports at today's session of the local parliament, despite this being on the agenda. The President of the Municipal Assembly, Nexhat Ugljanin, emphasized that this demonstrates that some individuals in the municipality are "protected like polar bears" by certain ministers and deputies of the Kosovo Prime Minister. He added that they are blatantly violating the law and the Statute of the municipality, showing no respect for employees or citizens.

Ugljanin reminded that the agenda for today's session included reports from all branches of government, both legislative and executive.

"However, the executive branch did not submit the report to us, which is contrary to the legal framework, and it is the responsibility of the mayor and all departments to do so. By law, they must submit all reports to the Municipal Assembly," Ugljanin told Kosovo Online.

He emphasized that a decision was made today requiring all directors to be present at the next session of the local parliament and to submit their work reports.

Ugljanin pointed out that there is dissatisfaction among the citizens in the northern part of Mitrovica and that the assembly has requested a report from the Director of Inspection for the third time, who, unfortunately, is "from another territory."

"In conversations with citizens, there is a lot of dissatisfaction regarding the behavior of that director, but not with the others who are performing their duties in accordance with the law. Considering that we have enacted a Regulation on Conduct, we believe that the citizens are right. As soon as there are so many complaints, he must submit a report to the parliament because he is not adhering to that act," Ugljanin pointed out.

When asked if he would seek Berzati's dismissal, Ugljanin confirmed that he would ask the mayor to initiate that process.

"I have been open in the work of the assembly as its president. We will request this from the mayor since this is the third time he has not come to present reports to the assembly as the legislative authority. We will request this," he stated.

He notes that certain people in the North Mitrovica Municipal Assembly have political privileges and ignore all legal regulations.

"Someone is protected like a polar bear. Surely, some leaders in the executive branch are also protected, as they have been imposed by high politics as directors. Unfortunately, people from other municipalities are managing this municipality, even though North Mitrovica certainly has professional staff capable of performing all duties. These leadership positions have been imposed on the executive branch by some ministers and deputy prime ministers. We know this, and the councilors are aware of it and have my support as a representative working in the interest of the citizens," Ugljanin emphasized.

He added that his desire is to represent all communities living in the north.

He observes, however, that this is currently not the case.

"We pursue our policy as defined by law. We defend the Statute of North Mitrovica, we have already made some amendments to the Statute, and we have certain competencies that are now expanded, and we will continue to be guided by this in our further work in the Assembly. We will continue to work primarily in the interest of the citizens, regardless of which community they belong to," Ugljanin concluded.