Work is full steam ahead to rebuild residential buildings damaged by the November 26 earthquake in Durres. With the construction of a significant part of the new single-family homes already complete, work is now underway to repair residential buildings and apartments to restore them back to the quake-affected families and allow them return to a normal way of life as soon as possible. Prime Minister Edi Rama today inspected the ongoing reconstruction work on the residential complexes that have sustained a degree of medium damage DS4. The government head was accompanied by the Minister of State for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj, and the Mayor of Durres Emiriana Sako.

“Work has kicked off on four residential buildings, two in centre of Durres and two others located on the beach area. A total of 37 quake-affected families will benefit in this building and the commercial units on the ground floor. We are closely working with the architectural design studio,” Sako said.

The government head inspected the ongoing repair work on the apartment buildings, which will add value to the area and increase the property value once complete.

“All the affected families that used to live in buildings with medium damage DS4 level were concerned and were running out of their patience, but the construction of these buildings is now underway. The reconstruction of these buildings will certainly take more time, as it is all about very detailed projects, as the buildings have sustained severe damages, though their structural skeleton has remained undamaged. In certain cases, their structure requires complete reinforcement. Work is underway and those currently living in rented homes should now feel relaxed and calm, also for the fact that work has practically kicked off. The work will continue gradually until all projects complete one by one. A series of implementation projects are underway. This way we will tackle another problem concerning these residents, who are naturally used to living in their old neighbourhood and don’t wish to relocate. One thing is for sure, the value of this entire area will increase exponentially thanks to the investment, whose first phase begins precisely where this line of buildings ends, at the Dajlani Bridge, or at the dead triangle between this part and the part’s functional part. This area will be transformed into an attractive tourist area and an economic growth engine, which will increase value of the properties here instantly as soon the investment in all these apartments or hotels in the area starts,” PM Rama said.

 

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PM Rama also visited the village of Kulle in Sukth area where reconstruction of 43 single-family homes is nearing completion. A considerable part of the houses destroyed by the devastating earthquake were shared by two families that will now benefit a new house each.

“A total of 1000 single family homes will be built in Durres municipality. Some 700 homes are included in the first lot, and 300 more houses will be built on the second lot following the damage reassessment process, whereas compensation grants will be provided to many families that are seeking to build their new houses elsewhere and not on the site of the old dwellings due to the geological and geographical location,” the Reconstruction Minister said, as he accompanied PM Rama to closely inspect progress of construction work on the new houses in the area.

Work is also underway on construction of new water supply system designed to ensure 24-hour water supply to local residents in this area.