Kërçeli challenges Rama to a televised debate over Prishtina’s contracts: Let’s account to citizens for the budget

Ilir Kërçeli, an MP from the Vetëvendosje Movement, has renewed his invitation to Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama to take part in a public debate, following Rama’s explanation of the cost of the underground tape included in the smart lighting contract.

In a video he published, the MP again questioned the prices and services covered by the contract. He described Rama’s response as amateurish and expressed disbelief at what the mayor had posted.

According to Kërçeli, it was incomprehensible for a mayor to respond at that level. He also criticized the day-long consultations on how to reply, which he said had resulted in a misguided response.

The Vetëvendosje MP also demanded answers about the price increase and how other equipment under the contract was billed. Among the questions he raised were the billing of the stopwatch and the matter of the 7 euros for the register.

Kërçeli rejected Rama’s explanation that the sum of 8.50 euros per meter covers supply, transport and installation, as well as a ten-year warranty and maintenance.

He questioned how a plastic tape placed in the ground could require a warranty, maintenance and a license. Reminding Rama that he is an architect, the MP said he should not have stooped to that level and that saying nothing would have been better than making this mistake.

To compare costs, Kërçeli said he had also included a table in the video. He intends to use it to show citizens how much another public company in Kosovo paid per meter of tape in a project where the work has been completed.

He then left the choice of television channel and moderator to Rama for a debate in which they would publicly discuss the Municipality of Prishtina’s contracts.

The MP invited the mayor to bring the contracts and attend the debate so that they could both explain to Prishtina’s citizens what had happened to the capital’s budget.

Kërçeli stressed that his objections do not stem from a personal grudge. He also expressed surprise that Rama had brought Prime Minister Albin Kurti into the matter.

In closing, the MP called for the discussion to take place on a professional level so citizens could learn what had happened not only with the contract in question, but with the other contracts as well.