Workers of the Public Utility Company in Strpce back at work, Jevtic: We are resuming services

After the Ministry of Trade and Industry temporarily shut down the Public Utility Company in Strpce nearly two weeks ago, the company’s workers have returned to their jobs as of this morning. This is the first public utility company within the Serbian system to be reopened after such a closure.

The Mayor of Strpce, Dalibor Jevtic, stated that the utility company will continue providing its services in the same manner as before, until it obtains the necessary license.

This morning, Jevtic, accompanied by his associates, visited the company’s employees at their workplaces. He said that over the past week they held numerous meetings and took various steps to ensure that the residents of Strpce would not be left without the services the utility company provides.

“My request was that the administration and the company be allowed to resume work first, so we can proceed with the remaining procedures related to licensing and signing the agreement with the regional water company. We will continue these activities during the week. The most important thing for the citizens of the municipality is that the public utility company will continue providing its services as before until the license is obtained, and I hope no one will violate the agreement we reached,” Jevtic said.

He expressed his gratitude to representatives of the international community, especially the US Embassy in Pristina, for their support, assistance, and understanding.

“In that context, I hope we will all work together, to the satisfaction of the citizens of Strpce, to ensure that they have the utility services they are entitled to – waste collection and other services,” Jevtic said.

Inspectors from the Kosovo Ministry of Trade and Industry temporarily closed the offices of the Public Utility Company in Strpce on April 23, after representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Environmental Protection entered the premises without a warrant, accompanied by Kosovo police.

Thanks to the efforts of the municipal president and leadership, a compromise was reached in the interest of the citizens of this local community.