Bandić: I am not the mayor who distributes jobs to godfathers

Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić, during a visit to the construction site of the Arena Zagreb sports hall, called on contractors and all those responsible for the construction of the sports hall to complete the surroundings and infrastructure around the hall as soon as possible to avoid delays due to possible rain.

"We have beaten the rain regarding the hall, we have covered it and now we can work inside all day," said Bandić, adding that everything else needs to be done within a week so that rainwater can drain into the sewage system. He believes that if this is not done and heavy rains begin, it could lead to delays.

Igor Oppenheim, CEO of Ingra, reported that work is intensively underway on the interior arrangement of Arena Zagreb. Movable stands and seats are being installed, the VIP lounge, boxes, and common areas are being arranged, everything is going according to plan and will be completed by December 15, Oppenheim said. Site coordinator Melinda Andrijić stated that all access roads around the hall will be completed by the beginning of December.

Bandić did not want to comment on media claims that he allegedly awarded million-euro contracts to his godfather Milan Penava, the owner of the company Tigra. "I wouldn’t comment on that. I know it’s an election campaign, but enough is enough," he said, adding that he does not determine who will get the job. When asked if an investigation has been launched regarding the construction of the glass-aluminum facility of ZET in Črnomerec, for which, according to media reports, the square meter was paid as much as 5,009 euros, the Zagreb mayor said that the relevant city office is responsible for informing journalists and added that the Control Office is doing its part of the job.

"If someone made a mistake, let them answer for it," he said, adding that the Control Office and an independent expert will determine the price per square meter. "I am not a construction expert nor does the mayor distribute jobs, least of all to godfathers," said Bandić. (H)