During the “Now” program hosted by Erla Mëhilli on Euronews Albania, the mayor of Divjaka municipality, Josif Gorrea, opposed the territorial reform and publicly called on the chairman of the Special Commission for Territorial Reform, Arbjan Mazniku, not to vote in favor of it.

Gorrea expressed concern that important services, among them urban planning and civil status, are being moved toward Lushnja. Mazniku defended the initiative, declaring that it will be in the interest of citizens and that after four years it will be proven that the decision was right.

Gorrea: Mazniku, do not vote for the territorial reform!

Mazniku: After four or five years we will meet again and you will accept that you were wrong.

Gorrea: The people have given me their trust and they continue to believe in me.

Mazniku: Precisely for this reason the Socialist Party also trusted you. It is not a problem if we have different positions or fail to agree; this is completely normal. You know very well that I have no interest in Divjaka, zero. I am also convinced that you are holding this debate sincerely, based on what you believe is best for the citizens, so it is normal that we do not share the same opinion. But I tell you with conviction, looking you in the eye, that for the citizens of Divjaka, Prenjas, Belsh, Cërrik, Fushë-Arrëz and all other areas, life will improve significantly within four years.

Mazniku: After four years we will sit together again and we will agree, just as the lives of the residents of Gradishta, Rremas, Grabjan and Tërbuf improved.

Gorrea: You are mentioning only two services, Mazniku. Where will urban planning be provided?

Mazniku: One part of the service will remain there, while the other part will move to the center.

Gorrea: Where will urban planning permits be applied for and issued?

Mazniku: In the same place where they are issued today, without changing anything.

Gorrea: Why should urban planning go to Lushnja?

Mazniku: Because the urban plan will be prepared there. You are not capable of drafting such a plan and you have not managed to produce an urban plan. In 2024-2025, your municipality does not have an urban planner. Do you have an urban planner in the municipality?

Gorrea: Let me bring another example, Mazniku. Two months ago the civil status service was reduced. Until then, it was offered in every unit, whereas now it is concentrated in Divjaka. The service has worsened.

Mazniku: Why do you think it has worsened? Today, for civil status, physical presence is needed only for the registration or deregistration of deaths and for the registration or deregistration of births. These are the only actions for which you must go in person to the civil status office. Is it reasonable that you and I pay a person just to provide a service, one day a month? Meanwhile, all other civil status services can be obtained online.

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