Old debts of water, Gjiknuri: Municipalities should adopt relief schemes

Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Damian Gjiknuri accompanied by Minister of Culture Mirela Kumbaro, in the capacity of deputy of the area, inspected the site of works for rehabilitation of the water supply in Përmet. Government investment amounts to about $ 5 million. Under the contract, within 30 months the investment will enable 24 hour water supply, thus solving a problem present for 25 years.

“We are here in one of the most important investments of the Albanian government for the Municipality of Përmet, which is the new water supply network, including this deposit that is being made here. It’s an investment worth about $ 5 million, finally settling the water issue at the Përmet Municipality by providing water 24/24. I invite citizens to make a legal connection with the water supply network voluntarily by the end of January wherever they are because the government in February will begin the measures for the controls together with the local authorities. I call on all municipalities to become part of this important reform. The Albanian government will take this risk to invest as it is investing in Përmet, but for these investments to become sustainable, all Albanian citizens should pay for water, “said Minister Gjiknuri.

Minister of Culture Mirela Kumbaro, in the capacity of deputy of the area, emphasized the promise made to the citizens of Përmet.

“It is important to emphasize that we kept the promise and today we are here to pursue the work. We will continue to be at the end of the implementation of the project, until every citizen of Përmet has in his tap what he wants, and the most important thing is the water “, said Kumbaro.

At the same time, Përmet’s Mayor Niko Shupuli expressed optimism about the progress of this investment guaranteed by the central government.

“The timeframe is almost 30 months to complete, but I have the confidence that it will end in the future by finally resolving one of the main problems that the inhabitants of Përmet have had, drinking water supply”, underlined the Mayor. Referring to the reform in the drinking water sector, Minister Gjiknuri appealed to Mayors throughout the country to approve relief schemes for the repayment of household debts by water utilities.

“I would also like to call on municipalities to approve relief schemes for old debtors or people who have accumulated debts due to lack of interest or, unfortunately, the work of the water supply companies and the respective municipalities. What does it mean? The relief scheme, just as we did with the Electricity Distribution Operator, should extend the old debts over the years, and give citizens the opportunity to not be burdened with paying water bills that have accumulated over the years. It is very important to notice that this is only for the benefit of citizens and water payment is security for water supply. There is no other way! If we do not pay water as we pay for electricity, the Albanian government will be unable to make all the necessary investments for all those areas of Albania which unfortunately still do not have a modern water supply / sewerage network, Gjiknuri underlined.