Armed Forces and KSF finish bridge construction in Zëmblak, Xhaçka: It serves to 32 thousand inhabitants

: Published: Thursday, 15 February 2018 18:09

Thousands of inhabitants of the villages of Pojan administrative unit in Maliq and Pustec municipalities will find it easier to move towards Korçë-Bilisht-Kapshtica national axis.

Albanian Armed Forces and Kosovo Security Force (KSF) finished the construction of a "Mabey-Johnson" bridge over Devolli River near Zëmblak village.

The construction of this bridge is provided due to the assistance provided by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for the rehabilitation of damages in infrastructure caused by the floods of December last year, when the existing bridge was also out of order as result of floods.

Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka, Deputy Minister of KSF Burim Ramadani, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Bardhyl Kollçaku, Commander of the KSF, Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama, representatives from local government and many others residents of the area were present at the ceremony organized on the occasion of the inaguration of the new bridge

Minister of Defense thanked the assistance and contribution provided by the KSF for the construction of this bridge, as well as the importance of this bridge, not only for the inhabitants of the area. "I want to start with an extraordinary appreciation for the KSF, but also for the Kosovo government that actually responded to us since the first few days of the December emergency and is now on our side to face the consequences of it. This contribution, today, for the sake of truth, cannot be considered small at all. It is a 54 m bridge, considerable in its technical construction as well as in its technical function, but also as a contribution of the Kosovo government and the KSF for this area, which through the construction of this bridge have facilitated the communication of 32 thousand residents with medical centers, schools, the free movement and communication with the main road axes that are extremely important for everyone's life and everyday activity. 32 thousand people whom we have assisted are not a small number. "- said the minister, who evoked the will of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo for the transformation of KSF, and expressed her happiness that the 10th anniversary of Kosovo Independence finds the Albanian Armed Forces and the KSF together, helping the community.

"I give my heartfelt thanks to you and not just because you are a good brother,in good and difficult days and this is mutual, but also because you are already a reliable partner not only for us but for the entire region and we are on your side and we will support you step by step, first in transforming the KSF into an Armed Forces and then on the natural path towards Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic integration. Once again, I am very happy that this 10th anniversary of Kosovo Independence finds us together by building bridges with the best spirit of cooperation and helping our citizens. Thanks to the citizens, not only of Zemblak but of the entire area of the municipality of Pustec and surrounding villages. Enjoy this bridge. I want to say well done to all the military forces of the KSF who participated in the construction of the bridge and I hope that from this moment it will no longer be known as the bridge of Zëmblak but as the bridge of Kosova with the contribution of the KSF soldiers. "

Deputy Minister of KSF Burim Ramadani praised the cooperation between Albania and Kosovo, not only in this case but in all fields. "We from Kosovo are proud of receiving the assistance of Albania, as well as offering assistance to Albania and all others on the tenth anniversary of our Independence and our cooperation is an example not only in this field but in all fields. Certainly, we hope that the emergency situations will be as rare and as possible and I hope that cooperation will continue as much as possible."

Commander of the KSF, Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama brought to attention the continual assistance and support provided by Albania to the Republic of Kosovo and wished that such situations as with the floods will be reduced. "It is our delight to have the opportunity to help these citizens and this community with these capacities to have free movement but also to ease their life. With our small opportunities we tried to assist but this assistance cannot be compared with the support that we have from the Albanian state, by the Albanian authorities even in the most difficult times, but we hope that we will no longer need these things."

Apart from the inhabitants of the villages of the administrative unit of Pojan and the municipality of Pustec, who cross this bridge every day, it’s construction also serves many residents of the municipalities of Korça and Devoll. At the same time, this bridge facilitates the movement of tourists who want to visit Prespa lakes. The newly built bridge near the village of Zëmblak has a length of about 54 m and can hold up to 40 tons.