Manze in Durres municipality is another construction site that has been launched and where construction work is in full swing in order to make sure that the families affected by the November 26 earthquake move into new houses built back better and more resilient than the ones they lost on that tragic night.

Prime Minister Rama, accompanied by Durres Mayor Emiriana Sako and the Minister of State for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj, where they handed over the keys to the new houses to several quake-affected families that benefited new single-family homes under the Reconstruction Programme, and inspected ongoing work to construct residential buildings in the area. A total of nine residential buildings are being constructed and the new apartments will be handed over to the affected households by end of the year.

A number of affected families in the area have received cash compensation grant to rebuild their homes themselves.

Construction of the apartment buildings has entered an advanced phase, while work continues apace to complete project on schedule. “Nine residential buildings, featuring 224 apartment homes, are being built under a complete infrastructural project. The residential buildings also include underground parking garages,” Reconstruction Minister Ahmetaj said.

“The demolished buildings were located very close to this area and we have thought to accommodate all the affected families in this site, providing them with all contemporary services,” Mayor Sako said.

Manza, along with Thumane and Fushe-Kruje, are set to be the new model residential neighbourhoods being constructed under the post-earthquake Reconstruction Programme.