Gornji Brezani on the Brink of Disaster: State Plans Energy Giant in the Heart of the Village!
Imagine your peaceful village suddenly becoming the site of an international energy hub with a 400 kV transformer station! Yes, you read that right – Gornji Brezani, a village known for decades as a peaceful and developing community, is now on the verge of destruction due to a plan by the state energy company CGES.
Blockade and Residents’ Fury Today, the residents of Gornji Brezani blocked the Nikšić-Plužine road for half an hour, clearly stating they will not allow their village to become a victim of the energy industry. Vesna Radojević, one of the protesters, openly said that CGES’s plan to build a high-voltage transformer station in the village center is absolutely unacceptable and would mean the end of the village as they know it.
A Silent Genocide in the Making? Residents claim that building this giant would mean a “silent genocide” – many would have to leave their ancestral homes, health would be endangered, and eco-tourism development would be halted. The market value of houses and tourist facilities would drop to zero. Is this the price of development?
Lies and Illegalities? CGES claims there are no houses or business buildings within two kilometers of the site, but residents deny this – their parcels are already included in an environmental report without their knowledge or consent! Worse, a private company, Alcazar Energy, allegedly illegally sent surveyors onto their lands and obtained construction permits from the previous government, violating building laws.
Called State Enemies? After publicly expressing their dissatisfaction, residents received a “rather unpleasant” message from CGES, calling them state enemies! Is this how the government silences its people?
European Bank and Transparency? Residents have appealed to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, demanding the project be frozen until high standards of local community involvement are met. CGES, they say, ignored their right to be informed and participate in planning.
A 15-Year-Long Battle This plan has been ongoing for 15 years, and residents say no one informed the local community. They are now ready to file a lawsuit with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office if the state does not respond.
Why Is This Happening? While young people in the village build tourist facilities and develop sustainable businesses, the state, instead of helping, brings a plan that could destroy everything they have built. Is this an example of how not to conduct development policy?
Conclusion: Village or Energy Cage? Gornji Brezani stands at a crossroads – will it become a victim of the energy industry or an example of how a local community fights for its survival? This drama continues, and all we can do is watch and wonder: who’s next?
If you have similar experiences or think this is over the top, drop a comment below. Maybe together we can figure out how to fight this kind of “development”!
