Infrastructure damaged the most - All arising issues should be tackled in full swing

(Photo: vs.rs)

Of 121.000 companies and 224.000 entrepreneurs in Serbia, 11.500 companies and 26.000 sole trades are in the municipalities affected by terrific natural disaster, which compounds almost 11% of all registered business entities in the country.

Most of these companies are engaged in trade, agribusiness and construction, according to the preliminary data of the Crisis Staff of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS), which have been attending sessions and coordinating with the Ministry of Economy and Industry since the beginning of the emergency situation. According to the same source, the flood made the most damage on agriculture and infrastructure (traffic and energy), as well as on hydro-constructions.

How catastrophic the consequences are, that will be known after the water retreats, confirms the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Kori Udovicki, and she says to all flood-affected people that they won't be left on their own and that the Loss and Damage Committee will assess the damage as soon as it's feasible.

Udovicki adds that the first task is to make priorities at a local level, but she also states that the country priorities are repairing roads, bridges and TPP Nikola Tesla.

The Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic, who has been elected as chair of the Loss and Damage Committee, shares the same opinion.

(Photo: vs.rs)

We remind you that the Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic gave the members of this Committee 2 months from the moment the water retreats to assess the damage and start the production where it has been interrupted.

Earlier today in the discussion with the representatives of the Independent Trade Union of Road Menders of Serbia, Mihajlovic stated that the government's priority in forthcoming period was to repair the roads and the infrastructure in flood-affected areas, expecting their contribution in the process.

Mihajlovic invited the employees to actively engage in lawful business practice in this industry, which is very important for the implementation of projects invested by the government.

How to repair the infrastructure?

In his interview with eKapija, the Secretary of the Association of Construction, Building Material Industry and Housing Viktor Kobjerski explains that it is necessary to rebuild the infrastructure first, i.e. roads and sewerage, and then repair houses, buildings and industrial halls.

- We should solve the problems while momentum is high. Teams should be assembled as soon as possible in order to assess the damage. It is important to record the current situation first and then prioritize. We should investigate how many houses and apartments are ready to move in and help people in repairing the damage. We will certainly need help from other countries, as Serbia cannot deal with the consequences of this magnitude on its own – said Kobjerski.

He explains that people shouldn't move in their apartments before the experts assess safety risks.

- Water probably damaged a lot of constructions. The same is with the flooded ground, because the water could have made large holes people cannot see, for they are covered with a thin layer of ground and dirt. Therefore they should be very careful.

As of tomorrow, people will be able to see recommendations on how to clean up their homes after floods on the website of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Kobjerski points out that every region should have a construction operations management to help rebuilding the country.

- We are facing the collapse of construction companies because we neglected their importance to the society. The firms couldn't charge their fees, they took out big loans and now they are in trouble. The government must take cake of those companies and help them overcome the difficulties. Hopefully, those firms will take part in sanitation with the help of the government – explains Kobjerski.

Goran Rodic, vice president of Construction and Industrial Chamber, points out how important it is to immediately start with the recovery program.

He says that water management companies, like Srbijavode, Vojvodinavode, Energoprojekt, Planum, Mostogradnja and Putevi Uzice, should assemble and make a plan of action.

Rodic also explains that landslides are making a lot of problems and not only have they damaged houses, but also roads and bridges.