Opening the new border crossing in Gradiška would put an end to hours-long delays, and the obstruction coming from the Federation of BiH could inflict enormous damage on the economy of the entire country, said Nikola Grbić, president of the Association of Transporters of Republika Srpska.
He stressed that preventing the opening of the new Gradiška – Novi Most – Gornji Varoš crossing is “pure idiocy,” adding that such blockage could have catastrophic consequences for all of BiH.
Grbić explained that the new crossing would significantly ease the work of transporters, reducing waiting times that have lasted up to 11 hours. He illustrated this by noting that he arrived at the Gradiška border crossing at 5 p.m. with a truck transporting goods from Slovenia to Albania, and crossed only at 2 a.m.
He said political actors from the Federation are obstructing the opening instead of allowing it and creating a better environment to eliminate long queues and prevent drivers from leaving BiH.
Transport companies across the country were looking forward to the announced opening of the new crossing, he added, expressing disappointment that the decision was blocked. He also noted that none of the politicians responsible for the obstruction has visited the crowded old crossing to see the long lines of trucks waiting for hours.
The Management Board of the Indirect Taxation Authority did not adopt amendments to its internal organisation rulebook, meaning conditions for opening the new crossing have not been met. According to unofficial information, the vote against came from Zijad Krnjić, the Board member appointed by the Federation government, who requested that the issue be postponed to the next session.
Source: RTRS
