Vetëvendosje, through a recent reaction, reminded the mayor of Pristina, Shpend Ahmeti, that for the New Year, through an order, he had stopped the use of fireworks in Pristina.
According to VV, this could also be done on the occasion of the Pro Credit bank concert on Saturday, when many fireworks are expected to be lit, the same as last year. However, according to VV, Ahmet has been overtaken by forgetfulness.
"In December 2017, the Mayor of the Municipality of Pristina, Shpend Ahmeti, signed and issued an ordinance prohibiting the use of pyrotechnic devices (fireworks, etc.) in public places from December 30 to January 3, 2018. This signed ordinance by Shpend Ahmeti rejects his claim today that the municipality does not deal with granting permits for the use of pyrotechnic devices. The decree of December, at the time when Shpend Ahmeti was still part of the Vetëvendosje Movement, shows that when there is political will, the Mayor knows and can deal with the prohibition of these tools that directly contribute to further air pollution in Pristina and in physical security of citizens. However, it seems that today Shpend Ahmet has amnesia, and has forgotten what it means to be a mayor responsible to the citizens", says VV's reaction.
VV has also said that the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning has given up its responsibility, passing it on to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, "as if they were not in the same government".
"The government, as in many other cases, not only does not take measures to protect the citizens, but also takes decisions that directly endanger the health of the citizens. The institutions are mocking the citizens. So no one is acting to stop today's use of 1 ton of fireworks in the middle of Pristina. We emphasize once again the fact that no institution has made public the full decision for granting today's permit, and has not shown the names of the municipal and government officials who signed this permit. This lack of transparency from the Municipality and the Government is unacceptable", it is further stated in the reaction of the VV.
In the end, Vetëvendosje requested the drafting of a regulation that would prohibit air pollution with pyrotechnics for the future, while as an immediate measure, it requested the prevention of the lighting of fireworks on Saturday.
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