Skopje, 28 November 2024 (MIA) - The budget situation we inherited wasn't tight, it was dire, and maybe this government is the only one that has ever been attacked during its formation by the opposition, civil organizations and trade unions saying we were against worker rights and wage inceases, Mickoski told reporters Thursday.

"The hole was big, the abuse was great, and accumulated debts continuously surfacing, which has us worried about how we were going to finish the year, considering there were no funds for regular payments. Lack of discipline, demotivated public administration employees, low morale, institutions full of SDSM and DUI personnel.

"A total of Mden 5 billion was missing from the budget for regular pension payments, yet advances for projects that never started were paid. For example, almost EUR 300 million remained unpaid for a key project, and once this government came to power, it kick-started all stalled projects; today that project can move forward. The project that will connect Gostivar with Bukojchani village, and Prilep with Bitola,” Mickoski said.

The PM called on the Public Prosecutor's Office to take away the license of the subcontractor in charge of the Gostivar-Bukojchani section due to a bridge collapsing on another project on Corridor VIII, which he was also in charge of.

With the new budget revisions, the government provided funds for the annual leave allowance and assistance for municipalities.

"Mden 1 billion was missing for annual leave allowance, which wasn't even calculated into the budget, but we covered it with the budget revisions. In December, more than 83,000 public administration employees are set to receive annual leave allowance.

"This government secured almost EUR 500 million of investments for all municipalities, regardless of whether the mayors are part of DUI, SDSM, VMRO-DPMNE, ZNAM Movement, independent, Worth It coalition. Do you know that the previous government did? Withheld EUR 50 million from the European Investment Bank for project on communal infrastructure, plumbing, and sanitation because the mayors were mostly from the opposition during that time. And now, Minister Izet Mexhiti helped move the process along despite the beneficiaries being from various political parties. This is for the citizens,” Mickoski said.

He added that the Public Prosecutor's Office should look into the work of the Mining and Energy Combine REK Bitola due to its enormous debts.

"Several public enterprises and organization weren’t considered for salaries. Since you already mentioned REK Bitola, it has an Mden 5 billion debt.

"I call on the Public Prosecutor, is he's not anxious, feverish, with stomach and intestine cramps, to visit the company and investigate instant companies. I will even provide the addresses of all rural places in Western Macedonia; they became millionaires overnight. I will provide the addresses and first and last names of the owners of those companies," Mickoski said. ssh/