The technical project for the widening of the outer ring road appears to have been done in a completely non-transparent way, and presumably in violation of laws and government’s procedures. Recently Exit.al learned that the project was actually part of an unsolicited proposal by Victoria Invest for a public-private partnership (PPP) contract.
When journalists asked Afrim Qendro – Director of the Albanian Road Authority (ARRSH) – about the reasons why a private company would offer an otherwise expensive technical project (about 1.5 million Euros) for free, he abruptly answered: “Go and ask the company!”.
The Albanian Institute of Science (AIS) has asked the ARRSH and its director to comply with their legal responsibility to inform the public about the said project, funded with taxpayers’ money.
The AIS is the main organization in Albania focusing on open data, through exercising the right to information guaranteed by the Law of the Freedom of Information. The AIS has recently requested from the ARRSH to reveal all the available information regarding the project and relevant procedures it has followed.
The AIS has officially requested the ARRSH to provide all the available information on the “Pallati me Shigjeta – Ring road – Eagle Roundabout Overpass” technical project on”, which was designed and donated by Ave Consulting.
Besides, the AIS has specifically asked for the documents regarding procedures followed for submitting, receiving, and accepting as a donation the project provided by Ave Consulting.
Moreover, the AIS has demanded information as to the methodology and ARRSH experts analyzing and assessing the technical and financial documents submitted by Ave Consulting, followed by the respective conclusions they have reached to. The documents drafted and approved by the ARRSH regarding the project were also included in the AIS’s official request for information.
The AIS has also specifically asked for all the information regarding the legal and administrative procedures followed by the ARRSH for transforming a donated technical project into the technical tender documents for the three lots of the project.
The ARRSH is required by law to reply within 10 working days.
The AIS operates the only open data platform in Albania – Open Data Albania, as well as the RedFlag system, which focuses on assessing public procurement, identifying illegal procedures, unfairness, clientelism, and other abuses in the public procurement process in Albania.
