The embankment of Vjosa begins. Xhaçka: time for a new standard in preventing emergencies

Published: Wednesday, 07 November 2018 17:07

The Armed Forces, supported by Fier Municipality, are strengthening the embankment of Vjosa River, rehabilitating within a few weeks the first 3.5 kilometres of this embankment.

The Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka, inspecting the work being done, stressed that such projects not only reduce large bills in emergencies, but at the same time set a new standard in preventing the consequences due to bad weather.

"The lacks of investments over the years and the embankment damage have brought the situation that we face up to in this area year after year. Minimal works have been carried out to date, to protect the erosion of river banks, but we had to think about a long-term solution to the area here. The implementation of this project, which in other circumstances would have cost millions of euros, thanks to the professionalism and dedication of the Armed Forces will have a much lower charge", - said Minister Xhaçka during the meeting in Çerven village, Frakull Administrative Unit, Fier Municipality.

“The time has come, she said, that according to Fier example and this well-coordinated project between all of us, to set a new standard in emergency management through initiatives that prevent the consequences of bad weather”.

The project for strengthening the Vjosa embankment is also closely monitored by the 12 Prefects, representatives of the most affected municipalities by floods across the country, as well as directors of several Administrative Units of Fier, Lushnja and Vlora

Referring to the phenomena encountered every year, such as fires or floods, the Defence Minister underlined the concern of human abusive activity, which is causing great damage to the country's environment and economy. At the same time, she expressed reservations about the high negligence of some actors during emergencies.



"We note a tendency of many of the local structures that do not properly carry out the continuous monitoring of the territory under their jurisdiction, do not make accurate estimates of the degree of emergency, and do not react in time with their capacities, but find the shortest way to calling for assistance the Armed Forces. It is not fair and it is not at all economical that in any case, even for an easily manageable situation by local structures, the Armed Forces should be called. Whenever the Army moves, it brings about expenditures, and they are all Albanian taxpayers' money”, - stated Minister Xhaçka.

The Ministry of Defence is in the process of revising the Civil Emergency Law, a law that is expected to determine the obligations for each structure, as well as the necessary penalties for structures and persons who neglect or fail to comply with legal obligations.

On the eve of drafting the annual budgets for Municipalities, Minister Xhaçka again asked for accountability in determining the budget dedicated to emergencies, a voice that has not received enough attention from most of the municipalities until nowadays.

By guaranteeing that the Armed Forces will continue to fulfil their major mission, that of the security of life of every citizen, Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka requested the cooperation of the community, Prefects and Local Government to prevent situations that above all, threaten the lives of residents in areas affected by fires or water flooding.