Have you ever thought you live in a place where the air turns into a nightmare? Welcome to Viškovo, where residents have been suffering from unbearable stench coming from the county waste management center Marišćina for a whole month! Yes, you read that right – a stench that not only ruins quality of life but seriously threatens people’s health. The municipal councilors of Viškovo, led by Bojan Kurelić and Tamara Smokvina, have raised their voices against this ecological disaster and are calling for urgent action.
The Stench That Never Stops
Since mid-June, Viškovo residents have been living in a hell of smells coming from Marišćina. The stench spreads through the settlements of Marčelji, Srok, Kosa Halubjana, and there are reports of unpleasant odors in the Studena area as well. Although olfactometric measurements by the County Public Health Institute show only sporadic or weak odors, residents claim their houses are hermetically sealed due to the unbearable stench. How is it possible that official measurements do not reflect the real situation? Is it negligence or something worse?
Councilors Can’t Stay Silent Anymore
Viškovo municipal councilors, together with the Kvarner Initiative and the Youth Action, have demanded an immediate stop to this abuse of residents. Their demands are clear and leave no room for delay:
- An independent and comprehensive audit of Ekoplus, the company managing Marišćina, to determine the legality of waste fuel placement.
- Verification of suspicions regarding the receipt of recyclable bio-waste, which the municipal company Čistoća should market instead of dumping it in Marišćina.
- Opening an institutional dialogue with the European Commission to find solutions and replace the existing waste processing technology with a more advanced, environmentally friendly, and safer one for human health.
- Urgent introduction of systematic bio-waste collection in Rijeka and the entire Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, as Rijeka is the largest source of waste transported to Marišćina.
Who Is Responsible?
Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, as the project holder of the Marišćina center, must actively coordinate the introduction of a separate bio-waste collection system. So far, it seems problems are being swept under the rug, leaving residents exposed to unbearable stench and health risks.
What If It’s Not Solved?
Bojan Kurelić and Tamara Smokvina warn that if the executive authorities, assembly, and Ekoplus management continue to ignore warnings, we risk further air pollution, endangering citizens’ health and deteriorating quality of life. Transparency in managing public resources and environmental protection must become unconditional priorities.
Conclusion
This is not just a local problem of Viškovo; it’s an alarm for the entire county and country. How long will we tolerate our health and environment being sacrificed due to irresponsible waste management? It’s time to wake up and demand accountability and urgent changes. So, have you already smelled that stench? Or maybe you got used to it? If yes, share your experience – maybe together we can make a difference!
