The Albanian Development Fund (ADF) has used images of ongoing work at the Gjirokaster Bypass site to publicize their work.
In a post published on their Facebook page, they praised the ongoing construction of the bypass and noted it was progressing well.
“Meanwhile, works continue at a good pace for the construction of the historical area Bypass (Nanxi Bridge-Great Dunavat Bridge).”
They published several images to accompany the text, including heavy machinery on-site, men in workers’ uniforms and dug up earth.
At the end of July, UNESCO formally asked the Albanian Government to suspend the works until a team of experts can attend the site to evaluate the work and whether it impacts Gjirokaster’s status as a World Heritage Site. To date, the Albanian government has not invited UNESCO specialists to visit, and they have continued the work “at a good pace.”
Exit News has contacted Albania’s delegation to UNESCO, the Municipality of Gjirokaster, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Gjirokaster, the Minister for Culture, ADF, and representatives from the two companies involved in the construction of the project on two occasions to ask for comment, but not one of them has replied.
In fact, shortly after Exit contacted the ADF to ask about the continuation of the project despite UNESCO’s request, the ADF removed the post.
Exit previously revealed that the owner of one of the companies working on the project, A&E Engineering, is fully owned by Entela Çano. She has been referred to as a “Representative of the Albanian Development Fund,” but the ADF and Çano refused to confirm or deny this.
A&E Engineering won the tender for the study and design of the new National Theatre Building in 2020, resulting in complaints from the other companies partaking in the process.
The company has won more than 48 government contracts, 35 of which were from the Municipality of Tirana.
Furthermore, it’s a parent company to Shoqeria Koncesionare Tirana 4, part-owned by Elti Fusha and Fusha shpk, another company with a long list of government contracts.
Minister of Culture Elva Margariti had previously denied UNESCO would request suspension of the project. But following the unanimous adoption of the resolution during the World Heritage Committee meeting at the end of July, she has since refused to comment.
