This evening at 18:00 citizens of Tirana will protest against the drastic water price increase announced by the Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj a few days ago. Mayor Veliaj claimed that the the price increase would allow the municipality to receive credit from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank, which would be invested in the city’s aged water infrastructure.
Mayor Veliaj announced the price hike without giving any further argumentation, even though the UKT, the municipal company responsible for the water infrastructure, actually makes an annual profit. In 2016, the UKT made a profit of €5 million, even though it was able to only invoice 22% of the actual water users. 78% of the citizens of Tirana did not pay their water bill.
The Municipal Council, which is now held by an opposition majority of PD and LSI, will vote on Mayor Veliaj’s proposed measure during their next meeting.
