Božidar Kalmeta, the Minister of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development, has opened a pier in Kosirača Bay on Tuesday. The Ministry covered all the construction costs in the total of HRK 10.5 million.
Minister Kalmeta stated that this was only one of the 90 port infrastructure objects which would be reconstructed or newly built on Croatian islands or along the coast. He added that until 2008, in the area of the County of Zadar, all necessary piers would be built or reconstructed. The following year, those plans would include the reconstruction of the existing piers on the island of Olib and the building of a new one on the island of Rava.
During the passed year, the Government invested in the development of the communal and social infrastructure of Croatian islands, the amount of HRK 850 million. The Minister emphasized that the fact that the this year’s investment would amount to another HRK 1 billion, was a clear indicator showing how much the Croatian Government cares for the islands. Another good program was the revival of the fishing fleet. After 20 years this was the first time that the fleet was being completely renewed, including mostly ships in the possession of private shipmen, with the financial support of the State.
Many local inhabitants and guests, among them official representatives of the City and of the County of Zadar, attended the festive opening of the pier for ferries and ships. Marijano Smoljan, the President of the Local Committee, stated that this pier was the dream of all inhabitant of Ist and that the preparations for this project had started in 1998. The Mayor of Zadar Živko Kolega, and the County – Prefect of Zadar Ivo Grbić, underlined that this object would enhance the quality of life on the island.
The constructions included the building of a landing - place for ferries and ships, a 500 meters long access road, public lighting and water pipe-lines. The landing-place is 58 meters long and 6 meters wide, while the ferry platform is 15 meters wide. Next to the new landing - place and access road, a 46 meters long wall was built to secure the ferry platform, also used for the berthing of ships.
The planner for the construction works was the company “Obala” from Split. The companies “Montmontaža – hidroinženjering” from Split and “Elektrocentar Petek” from Ivanić Grad performed the construction works and the company “IDASSA Commerce” from Zadar was entrusted with the supervision.
Besides Minister Kalmeta, also present were Branko Bačić, the State Secretary for Sea, Zadravko Livaković, the State Secretary for Development, Josip Borić, the Assistant Minister for Islands, and Tomislav Miletić, the Assistant Minister for Seafaring Safety and Sea Protection.
