New projects on mine clearance have been announced!
Prime Minister of Bosnian-Podrinje canton Gorazde Salko Obhodjas and representative of International Trust Fund for mine clearance and help to mine victims (ITF) Roman Tursic signed the Agreement on mine clearance on a section of main road M-5. Director of cantonal Office for civil defense Ramo Zivojevic also attended the ceremony of signing of the Agreement.
According to Prime Minister Obhodjas, Government of Bosnian-Podrinje canton Gorazde, which invests 25.000,00 KM in this project, and ITF a little bit more of this amount, is very interested in mine clearance on section of this road extending in the area where there used to be the old narrow-gauge track line Hrenovica-Mesici because by its final construction there would be created conditions for development of economy, return of displaced persons and refugees, as well as conditions for connecting Pale-Praca with Gorazde municipality.
Using funds provided by this Fund and Government of BPC Gorazde the surface of 36.226,65 m˛ will be cleared of mines. According to Roman Tursic, first activities on mine clearance will start after selection of best bidder – around the middle of September and/or October 1st at the latest.
International Trust Fund for mine clearance and help to mine victims (ITF) was established in 1998 thanks to the support by Government of USA and during 7 years of its existence it managed to clear the surface of 50 millions square meters, out of which 20 millions square meters in Bosnia and Herzegovina where on mine clearance there was spent 25-30 millions dollars every year.
Beside mine clearance, this Fund is also engaged in helping mine victims, organizing educative seminars on danger that mines can cause and assisting in rehabilitation of infrastructure.
Presence of this big International foundation engaged in mine clearance in this area is of great importance for Bosnian-Podrinje canton Gorazde, because this Agreement, as it was emphasized, is only one of several future projects to be realized through the mediation of this foundation and with help of Government of the Canton.