Construction of seven more single-family units has completed under the post-earthquake Reconstruction Programme in the village of Gjepalaj, Shijak municipality. Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Minister of State for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj, and the Mayor of Shijak Elton Arbana, handed over the new house keys to the families that moved into built back stronger, safer and larger homes.

“A total of 18 new single-dwelling units have been constructed in the administrative unit of Gjepalaj only, and seven more houses have been built in the village of Gjepalaj,” Arbana said, while paying a visit to the new house of Mr. Ali Laçi, who has benefited a new house with a floor area of 120 square meters under the Reconstruction Programme. “The family used to live in an old structure with a floor are of 50 square meters only, but the family of seven members has been entitled to a three-bedroom new house with a floor area of 120 square meters,” Arbana said.

“Enjoy your beautiful new home! The worst is over as the best lies ahead,” the Premier said as he congratulated the citizens who moved into a new dwelling after losing their old house in the earthquake that hit the country in November 2019. While extending a warm welcome to the Prime Minister in their new house, the residents acknowledged that they were really sceptical whether new houses would ever be built for them.

Another family of seven also received the new house keys. “This family has benefited a three-bedroom house with a floor area of 120 square meters under the Reconstruction Programme. They used to live in a 90-square meters old house. Based on the point system we have approved, one of the family members is a retiree and this is one of the first houses to be built under the Reconstruction Programmes in the area,” Arbana said, adding that “point system stipulates that the first houses to be rebuilt should belong to the people who live alone, to retirees or mothers of many children.”

In addition to the construction of new houses, an investment will be launched soon to construct the new water supply network to guarantee 24-hour water supply to residents in the village of Gjipalaj. “We will also kick off an investment project on construction of the water supply system for the entire area. The  funding has been approved and the related procedures have all completed and the project is designed to ensure 24-hour water supply to local residents. We will then embark on construction of the road infrastructure here. We are also investing in the power network in the area, as no investments have been implemented here since the electrification era in the 70s,” PM Rama underlined.