Brcko – A conference to discuss the pressing problems of the water supply and water distribution system for the Brcko community was held yesterday at the Office of the High Representative.
Sinisa Kisic, Director of the Department of Economy, Nikola Ristic, Director for Finance and Budget, and Luka Bodiroga, Director of Development Department, led the Brcko city delegation in a candid conversation of the various water problems here with professional engineers and representatives of international donor organizations, including Rory O’Sullivan, Bosnia director of the World Bank. It was the first time many of the parties in the rebuilding of Brcko had met face to face.
Ranko Labovic, Director of the Project Implementation unit for the Republka Srpska, came from Banja Luka to attend. He explained that in a first phase the quantity of the water supply and the repair of the distribution system will have priority. In a second phase the quality of the water will have to be improved.
Representative from the Brka Municipality, Mr. Hajrudin Jusufovic, Assistant for Reconstruction, expressed concern about the water distribution and water wells situation in the zone of return . He also stressed the necessity of a functioning sewer system.
Bill Farrand, Supervisor for Brcko, opened the conference expressing his hopes that those in attendance would be the catalysts for repairing and replacing the deteriorated water system currently in place. He pointed out that this was the first conference of this kind and that he was encouraged at the prospects.
After Djordje Dragicevic, technical director of “Sava” Water Company, explained the status of the existing system, the conference attendees presented their thoughts and responses to what should and can be done. Priorities for corrective measures were addressed as well as availability of funds and funding sources. The meeting made clear that there is need for funding in addition to already committed funds from the World Bank, Italy and Norway.
The conference ended with all participants having a better understanding of the challenges involved in improving the water distribution in the region of Brcko Municipality.