Banja Luka Mayor Accused of Awarding Contracts Before Tenders Open

Banja Luka Mayor Draško Stanivuković is facing accusations of circumventing public procurement laws by awarding contracts before tenders are officially opened. The investigative portal Capital.ba reports that work on a "Pump Truck" track and concrete polygon in a park, valued at 350,000 convertible marks, is nearing completion, despite the tender process only beginning on July 3, with bid openings scheduled for July 23.

Stanivuković himself announced the "Pump Truck" track project on June 22, stating that construction was "well underway" and expected to be finished within 30 days. He praised the designers and contractors for their work on the unique project, which he claimed was the first of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska.

Capital.ba notes that the tender, officially for a "concrete polygon," clearly describes the construction of the "Pump Truck" track, including "complete geodetic works" for its layout and construction. This is not the first time Stanivuković has been accused of such practices. Previously, the same firm, "Gradip," was reportedly involved in the construction of a monument to Prince Lazar and a "Predah" house for children with developmental disabilities before tenders were finalized. The city's New Year's decorations were also reportedly put up before the tender process for that work was concluded.