A large informal settlement covering an area of over 24 hectares and known as Kume neighbourhood in the city of Vlora is one of the areas suffering from a chronic lack of investment over the years. Although located very close to the old beach area, this residential neighbourhood failed to meet basic elements to host tourists during the summer tourism season because of degraded road infrastructure, lack of water supply and wastewater system. But a transformation project is already underway in this neighbourhood. An ambitious project worth $4 million entails construction of the road infrastructure, installation of a new lighting system, creation of green spaces that will drive prices of houses up and provide necessary conditions to host and accommodate a growing number of visitors during the summer season. In the meantime, a new water supply system and sewerage and wastewater network has been already constructed.
Kume neighbourhood was the next stopover for Prime Minister Edi Rama, where local residents expressed gratitude for the investment project taking place on the threshold of their homes. “This is one of the areas suffering from lack of investment and poor infrastructure over the years. The decision about this project on Kume neighbourhood is one of the most important decisions ever made on investments in whole territory of the municipality of Vlora. It is an investment worth $4 million and it includes asphalt paving of an area of around 40.000 square meters. The investment also includes construction of around 20.000 square meters of sidewalks and 16.000 linear meters of wastewater network,” Vlora Mayor Dritan Leli said, adding that the project also envisages construction of uniform surrounding walls, as agreed with local residents. “As we have already agreed, the project includes construction of a uniform fencing wall with mounted railings in order to establish a standard in whole territory here, which is an area close to the sea, but totally forgotten over the years. This investment, coupled with new projects to transform the port area, will give a fantastic value to this neighbourhood,” Leli said.
The investment in Kume neighbourhood, given that it is located adjacent to the old beach area, is one of the most important investments close to the city’s tourist area. “We are seeking to go on with a series of investment to further extend the Waterfront Promenade or Lungomare, not only southerly but also to the northern direction,” Mayor Leli said, who pointed out the investment in the water supply infrastructure.
“The area still suffers potable water scarcity, but we are implementing a number of investments that will ultimately address this issue. The investments in water supply projects in Vlora municipality are estimated to amount over 10 million euros and a 25 million euros project designed to ultimately tackle the water supply problem will be launched in collaboration with the German bank KfW as soon as the due procedures complete,” Leli said.
“Thank you Mr. Prime Minister for this investment. This community has been suffering from lack of investments for 30 years,” a local resident said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rama noted that important development projects implemented over the past few years have contributed to development of the economy and tourism potential of Vlora. “The first part of the work, with all the central axis and with all the investments that have been made, have brought Vlora much more economy and potential. From now on, we will move forward with a new phase of investments designed to foster tourism development. Everyone can turn their private family home into an accommodation infrastructure to generate extra incomes,” the Premier said.
