On Monday, ahead of the fifth earthquake anniversary in Sisak-Moslavina County, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković visited reconstructed buildings and construction sites in Sisak, Glina and Petrinja, and announced that reconstruction of family apartments and houses will be completed in 2027, and the entire reconstruction process in 2030. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Branko Bačić, Minister of Culture and Media Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Mikuš Žigman and Minister of Science, Education and Youth Radovan Fuchs.
In Sisak he visited the construction site of a multiapartment building comprising 144 housing units, after which he participated in the opening ceremony of the Knowledge and Planetarium Centre - Gradska Munjara Sisak and visited Galdovo Education Complex.
Mayor of Sisak Domagoj Orlić pointed out that the completion of this project is a strong message to parents, children and the entire community: “The children of Galdovo waited too long. For five years they commuted, adapted and patiently endured circumstances they had not chosen themselves. From the very first day of my term, it was clear to me that returning the children to their school is the only option and cannot be delayed. Every challenge on the way was dealt with urgently, responsibly and with a clear goal of bringing the children back to their classrooms. This is not just a building, it is an investment in the future of Galdovo and entire Sisak.”
By finishing Galdovo Education Complex, Sisak is not only gaining a new school and kindergarten, but also a strong foundation for better education, safer childhood and balanced development of city settlements.
In Glina, the Prime Minister and ministers visited the reconstructed Ban Josip Jelačić Square and the reconstructed House of the Croatian National Anthem. In Petrinja he visited a family who received a replacement family house, and he toured the construction sites of eight multiapartment buildings in Sisačka Street. He walked through the cultural and historic centre of Petrinja and attended the opening ceremony of the Fran Lhotka Music School, and he visited the library.
Member of Parliament and Mayor of Petrinja Magdalena Komes pointed out that she is pleased with the reconstruction process and that so far, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Croatia and Sisak-Moslavina County, a series of facilities have been reconstructed - from public use buildings, schools, healthcare and cultural facilities to private houses and apartments.
Prime Minister Plenković congratulated everyone involved in the reconstruction on their hard work and effort, and he thanked citizens for their patience. Remembering the devastating earthquakes in Zagreb and Banovina he once again expressed his condolences for those who lost their lives, saying that this was, unfortunately, the ultimate price that can never be undone. He thanked all citizens and services who, immediately upon the earthquake, selflessly rushed to help those in need, praising them for their exceptional solidarity and dedication.
Talking about the post-earthquake reconstruction, the Prime Minister pointed out the collaboration between central government and all local and regional self-government units in earthquake-affected areas. The process is very demanding, he highlighted, recalling his words following the earthquake when he said that 10 seconds of a devastating earthquake would surely imply 10 years of reconstruction.
So far, he emphasised, four billion and 230 million euro from different sources has been secured for the process, and in Banovina one billion and 770 million euro has been spent.
The plan is to build all family houses by 2027 and finish the entire reconstruction process by 2030
A total of 10,042 reconstruction projects has been completed, 9,299 family houses and 329 multiapartment buildings have been reconstructed; amounting to nearly 15,000 housing units.
The very building he visited today in Sisak, comprising 144 housing units and worth 20 million euro, is the largest individual example of reconstruction in general, he pointed out, adding that its opening is expected in mid-February.
By now, 449 replacement family houses have been built and 69 bought, nearly 90 million euro of financial aid has been spent, the Prime Minister said.
Among the projects in Sisak-Moslavina County, he put special emphasis on the construction of 59 multiapartment buildings comprising 1,024 new housing units. By now, 45 of them have been completed, 12 are under construction and two more will be built.
The plan is to completely build all family houses by 2027 and to finish the entire reconstruction process by 2030, he announced.
“This is a huge task, very complex both in terms of design and construction and finance and organisation, because it does not include only private buildings and houses, but also public facilities, cultural and sacral heritage, public and healthcare infrastructure,” he pointed out.
We want to make Sisak-Moslavina County a more attractive place to live and to invest in
Apart from the reconstruction, Prime Minister Plenković said, Sisak-Moslavina County also includes numerous other projects, adding that the region is undergoing an economic transition from an industrial identity to digital development.
Talking about the Knowledge and Planetarium Centre, the Prime Minister stated that it is one of the 95 buildings whose reconstruction was organised and carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Media.
“It is precisely these cultural heritage buildings that have added an additional level of sophisticated value,” he stated.
The Government is dedicated to completing the reconstruction process, Prime Minister Plenković emphasised, adding that next year’s budget allocates over a billion euro for reconstruction.
He recalled that Sisak-Moslavina County was struck by many hardships, from economic transition to war horrors, devastation and depopulation problems, and he said he wishes the reconstruction and revitalisation will make the county and the city of Sisak a more attractive place to live and invest in.
“Today when we look back, five years after the earthquake, we can say that we have a reconstructed hospital system, all buildings of Dr. Ivo Pedišić General Hospital in Sisak are new. In collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Croatia, we have reconstructed 15 hospital buildings, 10 Health Centre buildings, and we have built one new one precisely here in Petrinja, we have reconstructed 20 schools and built 4 new ones, and the fifth is nearing completion, and we have reconstructed nearly 300 km of roads. It is particularly important that in Sisak-Moslavina County today there are 45 multiapartment buildings more than before the earthquake. It is a strong foundation for demographic strengthening of Sisak-Moslavina County,” County Prefect Celjak pointed out.
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