Basha Suspends Officials Accused of Abuse of Office in Bridge Maintenance Contract Case

Officials indicted by the Special Prosecution Office on suspicion of abuse of official position or authority have been suspended from work by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The decision was announced by acting minister Dimal Basha.

In his public response, Basha explained that the case concerns the 2017–2019 period and is linked to the contract for the maintenance of bridges on national and regional roads.

He said that the procurement procedure had begun with an estimated value of €500,000, but the total payments made had exceeded €5 million.

Basha said this concerns citizens’ money and public responsibility, calling on the justice system to deliver a final decision as soon as possible and hold accountable anyone who abused taxpayers’ funds.

According to the acting minister, no one is above the law, while public funds must be managed solely in accordance with established procedures and rules.

He also guaranteed the Ministry of Infrastructure’s full cooperation with judicial authorities on any information that may be requested in connection with the case.

At the same time, Basha warned that control, oversight and accountability mechanisms would be strengthened at all levels of the ministry. He added that any serious suspicion of abuse would be examined with the highest level of institutional responsibility.