Gostivar in a State of Crisis as Government Declares 30-Day Emergency

At its 195th session today, the Government decided to declare a state of crisis in the Municipality of Gostivar for a period of 30 days.

The decision was made at the proposal of the Steering Committee, which comprises Defense Minister Vllado Misajllovski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timço Mucunski, Interior Minister Pançe Toshkovski, Health Minister Sasho Klekovski, Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikolloski, and the director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, Stojançe Angellov.

The committee also includes external members: Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Muamet Hoxha, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Borçe Serafimovski, director of SHPPP Ivica Tomovski, director of the Institute of Public Health Marija Andonovska, director of the Food and Veterinary Agency Oliver Millanov, director of the Environmental Inspectorate Ivana Ginovska, and the president of BNJVL and mayor of the City of Skopje, Orce Gjorgjievski.

According to the government statement, the step was taken because the local authorities are unable to manage the situation in the Municipality of Gostivar. The declaration of a state of crisis is intended to speed up coordination among institutions, enable the water supply system to function, and ensure access to drinking water as quickly as possible.

The Government emphasized that protecting the health of residents of the Municipality of Gostivar remains a priority and that it remains committed to fully resolving the problem.

At the same time, the Public Prosecutor’s Office is expected to conduct a detailed investigation and fully clarify the case. The statement said that anyone who endangered the health and lives of Gostivar residents must be held accountable.