In Divjaka with several projects. This is only the beginning

For the first time after 23 years, drainage canals of Divjaka have been cleaned and in just 5 months 11 kilometer irrigation and drainage canals for agricultural lands that were covered with reeds have been opened. It is crucial to open and clean irrigation and drainage canals for increasing production, but also to prevent salinisation of soils in the most productive area of the country.

Thanks to the work done so far, the soils surface that is irrigated and drained has greatly increased, approximately 8 thousand hectares. “These soils didn’t receive water for 23 years” – one of the residents of Divjaka said. “11 kilometer canals have been opened in 5 months in the area of Divjaka. Meanwhile, 28.4 irrigation canals have been cleaned so far. In addition, 8 thousand hectares of soil received water for the first time this year” – MP Erjon Braçe said.

Another important project for Divjaka is the new Polyclinics. It will serve the new local unit that will be created following to the new territorial division. Worth approximately 50 million leke, the polyclinics will be equipped with new laboratories for blood tests, since blood diseases are very concerning in this area.

“The new polyclinics will be equipped with a laboratory for blood tests, so that we will be able to detect inherited blood diseases” – Mayor of Divjaka, Fredi Kokoneshi said.

The Prime Minister continued inspecting the works for the eastern loop of Divjaka, through which tradesmen and residents of the area will go straight to the wholesale market without going through the city center. This investment will complete the entire eastern loop of Divjaka. According to MP Erjon Brace, it will serve to facilitate the traffic flow in the city center since residents of the surrounding villages will reach the market through the loop.

The Prime Minister inspected with great interest also the works for the city’s high school. Within the program “Sport for everyone”, the Prime Minister assured that the school will have every sport space not only for students during school time, but also for the community in the evening. “Make a complex out of this project, with the gym and 3 fields, so that it will become a complex for the community. For our goal is to make it not only available to students during school hours, but also to the entire community. So, make there a gym and 3 fields. They must be available also at night, so there should be lights and steps for people to walk in” – the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister greeted some citizens along the road who showed him their support and appreciation for the operation started by INUK across the country for the demolition of informal facilities. One of the citizens told the Prime Minister that “this has started to hit where needed, everyone. I am weak at heart but, when I see those demolitions, my heart is filled with joy. I don’t know how the others might get this, but I know that you get my heart. It is good that the unnecessary is being demolished.”       

Within the national program “Renaissance of the Cities” works have started also to build the promenade area of the city of Divjaka. Meanwhile, a public garden was built in the city center thanks to some funds allocated by the municipality.

Mayor of Divjaka, Fredi Kokoneshi informed the Prime Minister on the details of the project which, among other things, includes the construction of a new pedestrian road that is expected to be connected to the city center, the construction of a bikes lane as well as planting of palm trees along the pedestrian road. At the same time, interventions are being made in the underground infrastructure in order to rehabilitate the canalization system.

The project coordinator explained that a mosaic is also expected to be built. In addition, the promenade area will have a double lighting system and the project is expected to extend from Çerma, the access point from the highway, to the National Park of Divjaka. This project will turn the area into a tourist area for visitors, since so far it has been detached from the National Park.

A project of the Albanian government contributed to rehabilitate the “National Park Divjakë – Karavasta”. Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Minister of Environment Lefter Koka and MP Erjon Braçe, was today there to closely look at the completed project.

Interventions made have enabled the rehabilitation of approximately 50 kilometers of natural roads of the National Park of Divjaka. In addition, a proper infrastructure has been built for visitors and over 150 informational signs have been put across the park and an Information Point has been opened for visitors. 4 wooden bridges will help visitors to easily reach the central area of the Park.

Thanks to the 2-year Moratorium on Hunting, wild fauna has increased in the National Park of Divjaka where 3 watchtowers have been built to monitor the fauna. After a visit to the watchtowers in the Lagoon of Karavasta, the Prime Minister noted that following the ban the Government put on hunting, rare species of animals is reviving. “We are undergoing a phase of a radical regeneration, starting from the center of the Municipality of Divjaka – which following the new administrative division will turn into an extraordinary asset for the national economy – to this territory where, thanks to the Moratorium we have made the other species revive and brought them closer to the human species who became a sworn enemy to any other species for so many years” – Prime Minister Rama said.

In conclusion of his visit to Divjaka, the Prime Minister ensured ongoing support to farmers of the area and stressed their importance for the economy of the country. “On the other hand, the radical transformation we are making to support farmers, by cleaning all irrigation and drainage canals, will give even more exiting figures in the export which, in this area has its most profitable income that come be translated into higher income for the country’s economy” – Mr. Rama said.

The Prime Minister assessed with positive remarks the implementation of these projects and ensured that other projects will follow soon. “The sites of Renaissance in the cities will work even better for Divjaka where these projects that are being implemented will be followed very soon by other projects that will make the Municipality of Divjaka one of the model municipalities for a transformation on multiple plans across the Republic of Albania” – the Prime Minister said.