400 kilometres of primary canals cleared from soil, aggregates and sediments have been built from scratch with concrete coating but also with iron nets, and with outputs for secondary and tertiary canals. These are investments that directly affect the agricultural product of Lushnje and Divjake. 5060 ha have been improved in terms of drainage which, along with the 8350 beneficiary farming families in Divjakë, Shegan, Fier, Krutje, Martish, Gorica, Grabian etc., form what is called the agricultural ring of Lushnje and Divjakë, one of the country’s most agricultural regions. These are the results of the investments made in 2016 in the irrigation and drainage system. Accompanied by Minister Gjermeni, MPs of the area Brace and Cuko, and by Mayor of Divjakë Kokoneshi, Prime Minister Edi Rama inspected some segments of canals that have already been cleared along the ring, and where the next phase, that of modernizing the system is expected to begin.
Farmers say that these canals have been out of use for over two decades, because they were blocked by soil and waste. Their function and modernization will develop lands and farms below their potential. “It has been covered in thorns all this time, with reeds and tonnes of waste, and water could not get through, not even in Krutje, let alone in Divjake. Now water will go beyond Divjake”, one farmer said. “Not even 25 canals were made in 25 years”, another one said.
Investments in irrigation and drainage system do not include only the rehabilitation of canals, but also the modernization of the whole system, and a more effective management of water use. Each farmer will be equipped with meters also for water that goes to the parcel. This will bring a more efficient management of water resources.
“There are more than 400 km of irrigation and drainage canals in this area only, while in the area of Divjakë, which is also the most intensive area in terms of agriculture in this region where we have the most intensive agriculture, we will measure for the first time in Albania the irrigating water, not only to finally guarantee that water will reach each plot, but there will be no need for pumps to extract water which has as a consequence that land would become saline and unusable for many years. Everybody should know how much water they get and use, and water resource should be managed so that every drop will be used for the land. Thus, we will be able to take stock of how much water is used for the plots, just like we do for the water being used in homes, with metres, with faucet, so that only the water that is needed will be used. It is an innovation that we want to expand further. As the horrific images of the canals left untouched for 25 years show, this is a radical transformation with a network as it has never been in the past, with beds covered with metal net in the lower part. Another part is being cleared and will continue to be cleared, because all municipalities have received new modern and powerful excavators, and little by little we will be extending also here what we did in other parts, in order to have a modern network of water supply”, the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, over 13 million Euros are being invested in strengthening and modernizing the irrigation system for Divjaka and Krutje, starting since the irrigation season this year. Extending 22 km of pipes under pressure, the construction of two pumping stations for Divjaka, and the rehabilitation of 252 km of canals in the irrigation network in Krutje-Tërbuf, will bring water to the parcel in a total area of approximately 15 thousand ha. Prime Minister Rama was in Gërmenj, where a project to rehabilitate one of the two watersheds in Divjaka, with 4.5 million m3 capacity has begun.
A significant element of these investments in the irrigation & drainage network is that all for the execution of these works people from the areas of Lushnjė and Divjakë have been employed. “Up to this moment – the head of the company that is carrying out the works said – we have from 200 to 250 people employed in all sites. Excluding the specialist who have been working with the company since long, all the others are residents of the area. Our aim is to have 600 people employed from this area.”
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1984 was the last year when residents of Çermë-Sektor were supplied with drinking water. Since then, they have been taking water from the wells. This situation will be over thanks to the new water supply, the construction works of which started in December. Thanks to this investment, 22.000 residents will be supplied with drinking water around the clock after more than 3 decades. The main distribution network has been built, and another one is being built for each family.
Director of the Albanian Development Fund, Benet Beci noted that water supply provides a solution not only to the current problem, but also to the perspective. According to him, forecasts are minimally 15 years. “The project – he explained – provides water to 22 thousand inhabitants and 4.700 families. These were areas completely without water. Work began in December and will end in October. The works are continuing very well and meet the best standards quality in terms of water supply. Water goes into every home, with the metering and the water management system.”
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In Çermë, Prime Minister Rama inspected the reconstruction of the school, an investment of over 65 million ALL. In addition to a thorough reconstruction of educational facilities, part of the school was built from scratch, 12 classrooms have been added and the heating system has been installed. The school will be a multifunctional area, paved with rubber carpet which will be available not only to students but also to the community. 500 students and 20 teachers will attend classes in the new facilities in the next school year.
The Prime Minister visited also the school in Këmishtaj, the indoor and outdoor facilities of which are being reconstructed according the concept of school as a community centre. The school will have also a new fitness centre which is being built from scratch.
The head of the works explains that everything has been made from scratch, starting from plaster, tiles, electrical installation, plumbing and heating system. MP Brace noted another important element in addition to the school standards, the fact that these projects have promoted employment in the area.
“The heating system is important because the school has never had heating since it was built. In additional to the gym, there will be a multifunctional filed, and also an interior yard, basketball and volleyball corners. All workers are from the area. All groups of bricklayers and others from the area”, Brace said.
