FLASH
Shkruar nga Klodian Tomorri
Since receiving the third mandate, in April 2021, the government has tendered through the Albanian Road Authority about 58.5 billion ALL or nearly 570 million euros for the construction of roads in the country. Of these, over 55 billion ALL have been invested in road axes that extend from Tirana downwards. While only 3.5 billion ALL went to the north.
The analysis of data on public investments in road infrastructure shows an Albania, which the budget has divided almost with a knife. Funds go to the South, while the North seems neglected at the mercy of private concessions or railway projects that have yet to be tendered.
InveStment
From the first budget of the third mandate, which was that of 2022, until today, the Albanian Road Authority has concluded contracts or announced 22 large tenders for road construction. Of these, only 3 axes are located in the Northern region of Albania. Even they are in function of the concession for the Arbri road.
It is about the Qafa e Buallit-Martanesh road, the Ura e Cereneci-Peshkopi axis, as well as the revitalization of the escarpments in Shkalla e Tujani. The fate of Dibrani, who are under the political jurisdiction of the Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku. If Edi Rama had not delegated Balluk to Dibër, perhaps the entire north could end the third term of the socialists with zero public investments in roads.
Beyond these three investments, which have a total cost of 3.4 billion lek or about 33 million euros, all other projects go from Tirana down to the southern border of the country.
From the giant tenders for the Llogara Tunnel or the expansion of the Elbasan-Qafë Thane road, to those of the Tirana-Durres Superstrada, the Korçë-Ersekë and Berat-Ballaban axis, the vast majority of the state budget has gone to investments in the lower half of Albania.
Although currently the region with the weakest road infrastructure and the one with the heaviest traffic in Albania is the North, public money does not go there. Almost the entire north of the country is under lockdown. But the government has decided that the road axes above Tirana will be built with a concession against payment.
The first one, that of the Thumane-Kashar segment, is expected to be completed in two months. But the north will continue to be stuck in heavy traffic, as the continuation of the Blue Corridor remains on Greek calendars. The other segment, the one from Milot to Balldrenë, still remains in the government's drawers, even though the Minister of Infrastructure had promised to tender it within the last year.
Lini një Përgjigje