Today, the National Inspectorate of Territorial Defense (IKMT) has launched action to demolish a number of illegal constructions along the coast near Lezhe.
The State Police and the Municipality are on site providing support to the IKMT. A considerable amount of structures are expected to be demolished.
The owners of the structures have opposed the action saying they have not received any notification. They claim that no documents regarding their properties have been requested by authorities and no notice was provided to them prior to demolition.
Last week, 24 illegal buildings were demolished in Velipoja where clashes were reported between police and business owners. The demolition of these buildings at the start of what is set to be a difficult tourist season brought a harsh reaction from Shkodra Mayor Voltana Ademi. Even the Socialist Party Major of Lezhe, Pjerin Ndreu said that the decision is harming the country’s tourism prospects.
Citizens claimed that the IKMT is targeting business owners who are of different political leanings, stating they are selectively demolishing structures.
The Minister of the Interior Skander Lleshaj was criticised for a lack of transparency over the demolition process and on what grounds properties were being removed. He responded by saying the IKMT reacts to violations of the law and is not obliged to notify any mayor or Municipality beforehand.
In Dhermi, a total of 11 structures that are said to be illegal were also demolished by the IKMT. The government stated that owners will be punished administratively for their actions contrary to the law. They said their action will extend to the whole coastline of Albania.
Albania’s tourism industry is set to suffer the worst year in recent times due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses have closed their doors, others are struggling to survive. Tens of thousands of seasonal workers are without employment and are excluded from the governments ‘war salary’. The authorities have not announced any concrete plan to help support Albania’s tourism industry in its recovery.
