Concerns Raised Over Housing Allocation Practices at RTCG

The Center for Civic Education (CGO) has expressed deep concerns regarding the allocation of housing to employees at Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG). The organization claims that the scoring process for housing distribution has severely undermined principles of public interest and meritocracy, revealing potential abuse of power and systemic corruption under the leadership of an allegedly illegitimate administration.

CGO’s statement highlights that, based on media reports and a detailed analysis of the final ranking list, the entire process appears to have been conducted in an opaque, unprofessional, and selective manner. There are numerous indications of rigged scoring and possible collusion in these abuses, with a clear disregard for the public interest.

Particularly alarming is the finding that among the 90 individuals who earned the right to purchase apartments under favorable conditions, nine had less than ten years of work experience. This statistic suggests that criteria related to experience and long-term contributions to the public service were not properly weighted in the decision-making process.

Additionally, CGO points out that one individual, who began their professional training during the tenure of the allegedly unlawfully appointed RTCG director, received an apartment despite lacking significant work experience. This situation starkly illustrates the erosion of equality, professionalism, and social sensitivity in the allocation process.

When comparing these findings against numerous employees who possess decades of experience but still face unresolved housing issues, there are valid concerns that apartments were distributed based on political loyalty, position, and personal connections rather than objective criteria. The CGO emphasized that the current system fosters a culture of rewarding compliance rather than adhering to legal standards and social criteria.

The organization’s statement also referenced the “Vukovarki” case from 1999, when apartments were allocated under the then-legitimate management of RTCG. The legal ramifications of that practice persisted for more than two decades, leading to numerous court disputes and financial compensations. Today’s situation is more severe, given that the current leadership’s legality and legitimacy are under question, managing multi-million euro assets without adequate oversight or a clear legal foundation.

According to estimates, the value of the building where the apartments were allocated is approximately 3.5 million euros, with market evaluations nearing 7 million euros. CGO emphasizes that RTCG must function as a public service for the citizens of Montenegro, rather than a platform for rewarding loyalty or advancing personal or party interests.

In light of these findings, CGO insists that the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) should take a professional interest in the matter. Furthermore, it calls on the Montenegrin government and the Ministry of Culture and Media to break their silence and respond to the ongoing scandals within RTCG. It is crucial to establish individual accountability for all those involved in the allocation process.

On a systemic level, CGO advocates for an urgent revision of RTCG’s housing policy regulations. This includes reducing the weighting of positions and significantly increasing the scoring for work experience and social criteria to ensure a fairer allocation process for all employees.