The irrigation canal in Grishaj, Koplik, has become functional for the first time after 26 years. The 14-kilometre long canal is a continuation of the Shtodri canal in the Great Highland area. To irrigate every meter of land worked by farmers: this is the reality aimed at for the Albanian farmers in all the regions of the country, regardless of their location.

This canal has been non-existent for 26 years. In addition to creating many hardships for the residents of the area, this situation turned farmlands into barren lands. The investment for the rehabilitation of the irrigation canal, which was conducted under the government program for irrigation and drainage, improved the irrigation for approximately 3.300 hectares of agricultural land in the area of Mbishkoder.

Accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture Edmond Panariti, and representatives of the local government, Prime Minister Edi Rama was today in the Great Highland area to see closely the works carried out in this major project.

Local leaders of the area briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of work for the remainder of the investment, which includes the rehabilitation of secondary canals with an aim at increasing the irrigated land surface. “This is the canal of Shtodri, where the government has invested. It is approximately 14 kilometres long and crosses the Municipality of the Great Highland. Approximately 3.300 hectares in the Municipality of the Great Highland, in the four administrative units of Gruemirë, Koplik, Qendër and Kastrat, can be put under water. This is the only funding for agriculture made by the Albanian government in 25 years. So, this is the first time that the Albanian government has made a direct investment in agriculture in the Great Highland”, deputy mayor of the Great Highland municipality, Sytki Nrecaj said.

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the irrigation project undertaken by the Albanian government is the largest ever undertaken for irrigation and drainage. In addition, he gave further details on this government project. “This is the biggest project ever made for water, whether for irrigation or for drainage. It is divided into two parts; one part is of the government’s for the restructured drainage boards – now we have only 4 boards divided in 4 regions in Albania – and the other part is together with Municipalities. We are preparing a totally new fleet for irrigation and drainage, with motorized vehicles. We will actually make it possible for this year to have an almost final solution to this problem, especially in the areas where agricultural growth is more intensive.”

The investment that the government is making for the upgrading and modernization of the infrastructure of dams and reservoirs, as well as for arranging the sewage system, aim at a comprehensive and sustainable rehabilitation to improve irrigation and drainage of agricultural lands across the country.

 

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The company of water supply and drainage system in Gruemirë, in the Great Highland, a facility that has been lacking for many years, is now functional and able to supply with water more than 50 thousand residents of the area. The modern building has been recently built on a site where everything was missing, ranging from basic infrastructure, offices and logistical means.

The new investment in new technologies and the modern equipment are part of the funding by the Albanian government and donors. This investment will definitely solve the problem of drinking water supply for the entire area of the Great Highland and Qendër Municipality.

Prime Minister Edi Rama met and talked with employees of the enterprise. Manager Flauers Shoshi briefed the Prime Minister about the capacity of this investment, as well as about the innovations provided by high-tech devices. “This is the 4.000 cubic meter warehouse. If we consider the city of Shkodra with 120 thousand inhabitants and 4.000 cubic meters, we provide 4.0000 cubic metres for approximately 25 thousand inhabitants, and our supply exceeds our map, extending up near the city of Shkodra. So, we supply approximately 50 thousand inhabitants. And this has a 50-year perspective. In addition, we are using a system from England in order to inspect illegal connections. It is possible to detect which houses have illegal connections by means of a camera, in addition to seeing the depth and the diameter of the connection, because everything is digital”, Shoshi said.

Thanks to this intervention of the Government, the Water Supply Company is a model in the country, since in addition to the modern building it has also other new contemporary machinery and equipment. What residents benefit from this investment is not only a better water quality, but also and increased volume of the water capacity, which has grown from 50 cubic meter to 4000 cubic meter. Meanwhile, another innovation is the computerization of the billing system for customers.