A water tank in Novi Pazar to improve the water supply

„Through several projects, we aid the Regional Center in its efforts to get the infrastructure required for proper functioning, and I hope that local governments would realize its importance and that they would allocate funds so it could continue operating freely”, Graeme Tyndall, EU PROGRESS Programme Manager, said.

Novi Pazar, February 10^th 2014 – Graeme Tyndall visited Novi Pazar today and marked the completion of four projects with a total value of €332,900, which were funded by the EU and Swiss Government through the European Partnership with Municipalities Programme (EU PROGRESS).

A modern water supply tank was handed over to the Mayor of Novi Payar, Meho Mahmutović. The main purpose of this truck (which will be used by the Public Utility Company “Čistoća“) is to fill the the drinking water reservoir in the neighborhood of Blaževo, whose construction should be completed by the end of the next month. In addition, the water supply tank will be used for supplying other parts of the city and maintaining the cleanliness of streets. The purchase was financed by the EU and Swiss Government through EU PROGRESS with €97,600.

“This is the continuation of our efforts in providing quality water supply in Blaževo, because access to drinking water is one of the fundamental human rights. This is why the EU and Swiss Government are financing this project with a total of €270,000, which includes constructing the reservoir and purchasing the truck.” Tyndall said.

During the meeting with the Mayor Mahmutović, EU PROGRESS Programme Manager awarded Novi Pazar with the ISO 9001 Certificate for Quality Management System (QMS) and ISO 14001 Certificate for Environmental Management System (EMS). The city of Novi Pazar is one of the five local Governments in the south and southwest of Serbia which adopted these standards, whose implementation will provide faster, more efficient and higher quality services and will also define the area of jurisdiction and responsibility of the municipalities’ employees in the process which is supposed to cut administrative expenses, make the administration more transparent and shorten the procedures.

“Novi Pazar strives to stay a modern city through continuous work and to suit the needs of its citizens. With the aid of these standards, we will improve efficiency and reduce errors in functioning.” Mahmutović said.

During his visit, EU PROGRESS Programme Manager also handed over the van for transporting mentally disabled users to the Regional Center, which ended the project of equipping the Center worth €30,000.

“Through several projects, we aid the Regional Center in its efforts to get the infrastructure required for proper functioning, and I hope that local governments would realize its importance and that they would allocate funds so it could continue operating freely.” said Tyndall.

EU PROGRESS Programme Manager visited the local community of Lukare, where the project of reconstructing and equipping the local office was finished and in which the inhabitants of this neighborhood can immediately receive their birth certificates and verify their documents.

“A good and simple administration is a precondition for development and this local office is one of the 16 offices reconstructed and equipped with over €26,500, the amount which was allocated by the EU and Swiss Government through EU PROGRESS. The citizens don’t need to go to the City Council and wait for the services of registrar, but they can do it in the vicinity of their homes.” Tyndall pointed out.

The EU supports financially the European Partnership with Municipalities Programme – EU PROGRESS, with €14,1 million, Swiss Government supports it with €2,5 million, while the Republic of Serbia supports it with €1,5 million. EU PROGRESS aims to support the socio-economic development of 25 municipalities in south and southwest of Serbia. You can find more details on the www.euprogres.org website.

For further information, please contact: