VLEN: Zajaz Left Without Sewage Even After 24 Years in Government

The VLEN coalition has accused DUI and its leader, Ali Ahmeti, holding them responsible for the failure to complete the sewage project in Zajaz and Kërçovë. According to them, the case is also accompanied by suspicions of financial abuse and the involvement of companies linked to the Ahmeti family.

In a presentation to the media, VLEN’s Faton Fazliu said that DUI, despite having remained in power for 24 years and having controlled the key institutions, has failed to resolve one of the most basic concerns for the residents of Zajaz — the construction of a functional sewage system.

He stressed that the current situation has left citizens facing a half-finished project, with open channels and septic pits, while, according to him, the damage to the state amounts to millions and European Union funds have been lost.

VLEN referred to published information on the criminal complaint submitted by the Financial Police, which raises suspicions of abuse during the implementation of the project for the rehabilitation and expansion of the sewage network in Kërçovë. According to this information, the alleged damage to the budget exceeds 127 million denars, while around 9.47 million euros from the IPA program have been lost.

Fazliu stated that the project did not fail due to a lack of funds, since financing had been secured by the European Union, but, as he said, because of “suspicious bank guarantees, the engagement of unauthorized subcontractors, and a lack of institutional oversight.”

VLEN also raised questions over reports that companies linked to Drin Ahmeti, Ali Ahmeti’s nephew, took part in the implementation of the project. The coalition demanded clarification of their role, the value of the contracts, how they were selected, and whether they had authorization from the responsible institutions.

From the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Financial Police, the coalition requested an expansion of the investigation, the publication of the full list of subcontractors involved, and verification of whether there were political, business, or family ties between the responsible individuals and DUI structures.

“The residents of Zajaz no longer need excuses, but sewage. And citizens deserve answers for every denar spent and accountability from those who managed this project,” Fazliu declared.