Government Rejects SDSM Claims: 1.5-Liter Water Bottles for Gostivar Purchased at 12.5 Denars Each

The opposition SDSM claims that the Government secured drinking water for Gostivar residents through an agreement worth 100,000 euros, concluded under a negotiated procedure without a public notice. According to the party, while citizens were facing health consequences from contaminated water, the executive entered into a “business deal without a tender.”

According to SDSM’s allegations, the contract was awarded to the company “Kozhuvchanka,” owned by the mayor of the Municipality of Kavadarci, while the procedure was overseen by Ivica Tomovski, director of the Service for General and Common Affairs.

The Government denied the claims, describing them as “complete disinformation.”

“These are shameless and dishonest lies. In the absence of real issues and arguments, SDSM is once again resorting to lies and distorting the facts,” the Government said in its response.

The executive explained that, due to the crisis, the negotiated procedure was conducted by the Service for General and Common Affairs, while the water is being distributed free of charge to Gostivar residents.

“It is true that the negotiated procedure was conducted by the Service for General and Common Affairs and that the water is being provided to citizens free of charge. The company ‘Kozhuvchanka’ was awarded the contract through the procurement procedure,” the Government explained.

The response emphasized that each 1.5-liter bottle of water was purchased for 12.5 denars, while according to the Government, its retail price is at least 25 denars. The company, it said, also made its own contribution to assisting citizens and institutions during the crisis.

According to the Government, the supply of bottled water will continue until the responsible institutions determine that water from Gostivar’s water supply network is safe to use.