Kichevo mayor announces 10 million denars for landfill cleanup and plans for transfer station and dog shelter
Mayor Aleksandar Jovanovski announced funding to remove the dump at the former ceramic complex and said a transfer station and a shelter for stray dogs are planned.
Mayor Aleksandar Jovanovski presented a progress report to the public and municipal councillors outlining new infrastructure works, freshly asphalted streets and concrete deadlines for tackling the town’s environmental hot spots.
Most attention focused on plans to remove the illegal landfill located on the grounds of the former ceramic combine. "The Municipality of Kichevo, with council approval, has allocated 10 million denars to remove the accumulated waste and bring the site to zero level as soon as possible," Jovanovski said, and said urgent field measures are already under way.
Transfer station project to follow site selection
Jovanovski added that, in parallel with the emergency cleanup, the selection of a proper landfill location is nearly complete in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment. Once the site is chosen, a project design will be produced and construction of a transfer station for municipal waste will begin shortly thereafter.
In addition to the waste site, the local authorities announced plans to build a modern shelter for stray dogs so the problem will be treated humanely and permanently. A location has been selected and the construction project is in its final drafting stage.
The announcements follow years of public pressure and a series of protests by Kichevo residents who warned that the illegal dump in the middle of town is an environmental bomb. The dump near the former ceramic combine has repeatedly self-ignited or been set on fire, filling the town with toxic smoke and directly endangering the health of nearby neighbourhoods.
Regional police statistics from SVR Ohrid have placed Kichevo among the regional leaders in reported attacks by street dogs for years. Police bulletins record nearly daily reports of bitten citizens — from elderly people to children — and the problem costs the municipality more than €100,000 annually in compensation paid to victims.
Photo: press material from the event
