Measures to reduce pollution are taken, competent work in accordance with the laws, and air pollution remains high and it will not change in the next few years. There are largest concentrations of polluting substance PM10, but there is no dominant source of pollution. This is the conclusion of today’s debate “Pollution in Macedonia: Battle for Clean Air” organized by “Inbox 7”.
– It is evident that the level of PM10 particles increases at all measurement locations in the country except Lazaropole. 38.42 percent of the pollution derives from the heating of households, 17.4 percent from industrial facilities, 9.13 percent from thermal power plants, and 17.5 percent of traffic. We should act in different sectors in order to reduce the concentration of PM10 particles. Alarming concentrations are registered during the winter, while the weather conditions also have a large impact – says Aneta Stefanovska from Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning.
City of Skopje say that if the measures projected by them are taken when pollution is exceeded in five consecutive days, they would have made a small contribution to the reduction of pollution and that all the institutions and organizations that have responsibilities in accordance with legal regulations of environmental protection should be included.
– According to the information that we got from the traffic control center, we didn’t notice that citizens are giving up their cars – there are still plenty of vehicles. 60,000 vehicles pass by “Vero center” during the day, while even 90,000 vehicles pass by the Court Palace – says Nikola Jovanovski, assistant manager of the Department of Environment.
Civil society organizations agree that the measures so far taken have no real effect, pollution continues, and citizens are the ones who suffer major consequences.
– Tetovo has long been the most polluted city in Macedonia and in Europe, and the situation can be compared with Nepal and Ghana. Last year in Tetovo was 300 days with increased pollution, and there is increased pollution in the first 45 days of this year as well. Unfortunately, there is no reaction from state institutions. We are unhappy because nothing has been done, there are only promises, but there are no results on the field – says Arijanit Xhaferi of NGO “Eco guerrilla”.
Aleksandra Bojaroska of NGO “Front 21/42” said that there are no fines for polluters, no advance of technology, and the system of measures is not coordinated.
– I cannot agree that we need to wait for rain or wind in order to reduce pollution. It is not serious. Our view is that the state is prone to polluters – says Bojaroska.
“Front 21/42” add that Macedonia has the fifth highest rate of mortality in Europe as a result of air pollution from small PM10 particles.
Competent say they are taking measures, but it needs time for them to work and that the situation is not going to change in the next three years.
– I agree that short-term measures recommended cannot achieve the effect of reduction. We need to take long-term measures that require large funds and the long time to implement. I think that the gasification would solve many of the problems, but it cannot be done for the next season or for two or three years. It certainly needs a period of five or six years to implement. In terms of industrial facilities, the measures are mostly taken – says Stefanovska.
