FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
In Albania, even a cup of water in the July heat is a luxury
In these hot July days, a return to “The Legend of the Corn” by Migjen, our great Albanian writer of misery, would be fitting. Even though we are in the age of technological magic, with instant access to everything, when I see how neighboring countries install public water taps with free water in urban centers to help citizens in this scorching heat, I realize how deeply we have sunk into our national callousness.
In Albania, not only has water been privatized with a hundred laws and tricks, but instead of the price decreasing during holidays or times of hardship, as happens in every civilized country, the opposite happens here: the price increases. Let's remember a little further... a report by the French television "Arte", about 15 years ago, was sarcastically titled: "Heartless Albanian merchants during holidays".
In the days when the country was in turmoil, word spread that “cholera had broken out.” What happened? Some merchants with “VIP” labels immediately became rich by distributing an Italian water brand on the market. In fact, to convince minds tired of pyramid schemes, an advertisement was published showing a bag sealed to the brim. What was inside? Salvation? Naive Albanians waited with hope... and bought.
In a country where we don't know how to demand our rights, everything the head of government says is accepted as an order of God. No one reads the Constitution. If we read it, we would know that the right to water is a constitutional right. Article 59 is there, clear: the state must guarantee water for citizens. At least a curril.
But no. We still have it on schedule. The tap is dry. Every campaign promises a miracle: “24-hour water”, “Earthquake protection for homes”, “Satellite monitoring of public spaces”. But water, brothers, when will you fix the water? The first thing in life, the most basic.
There is no European city without public drinking water taps. Why can't Tirana, Berat, Shkodra or Korça have them too? It doesn't take millions to build them, but a minimum of responsibility is needed. And if the government is too busy with satellites and tenders, do these water businessmen have any human conscience?
All over the world, on hot days, businesses distribute free water. In Albania, on the contrary: not only do they not give it away for free, but they increase the price. Here, not only do they sell water, but they would also measure the air if they could. Even the worst, if only they had their own.
It's too early to expect civilized businessmen, they say. Decades must pass. Okay, let's wait... in the meantime, let's bake in the heat, because we have nothing to do. At this rate, in 2050 we will have half the population and maybe a free jug of water, as a trophy of civilization. Until then, water will remain a luxury. And we, dry, silent citizens, without a voice and without a drop of water./ Pamphlet
Lini një Përgjigje