Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi and Minister of Social Welfare and Youth Erion Veliaj, inspected Youth Centre of Korce city. This Center, which is supposed to be used by Korca youth, is in unacceptable conditions and unable to fulfil its mission. Beside ruined walls, humidity and lack of halls and furniture to accommodate youth, the Forestry Department used to place there also the sequestered wood quantity. Minister Veliaj highlighted the necessity of a radical transformation, because such situation cannot be tolerated anymore.
“All previous Government had to offer for youths entertainment was an accordion, a synthesizer and a vaulting horse”, Minister Veliaj said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Peleshi informed that Korca Municipality has asked for permission from the authorities to administrate this institution for years, whereas assured that with the right investment it can turn into an extraordinary youth Centre, due to its great potential. “The Municipality has continuously asked to have the right to administrate this institution. A children culture Centre administrated by Educational Directorate without the necessary attention. As you can notice, it has turned into a relic, which seems to have stopped existing in the 90-ies. But the Municipality has never been given this right. But, there exists a great potential to transform it into an extraordinary youth Centre by freeing it from also the forestry authority offices”, Peleshi said.
* * *
Later on, Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Employment Office in Korca city, whose venues, – same as other sister-like institutions – offered the view of a devastated building, far from its function and mission, located at the outskirts of the city together with other institutions.
Minister Veliaj said this office should be moved closer to the city to enable an easier access for citizens, leaving existing premise to Professional Training Centre. “There is a sandwich of services here: Professional Training Center, which does not have enough space, Employment Office, which is not close to citizens, but it is located in the suburbs. We think these venues should be used by Professional Training Centre, whereas the Employment Office should be moved to a public premise that could be accessible by citizens. Nothing works properly here. The building is completely destroyed”, Veliaj said.
While noticing with regret the unacceptable conditions of these two buildings, the Prime Minister pointed to the immediate necessity of turning them into premises capable of performing their functions.
* * *
Elderly Homecare was next stop of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Welfare and Youth. They said management and services offered by this institution must be used as a model. The establishment of this homecare has been realized thanks to cooperation between Korca Municipality, foundations and NGO-s, transforming it into a shelter with qualitative and contemporary services for the Korca elderly people.
Praising fruits of such cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister Peleshi said that model of this institution must be promoted and serve as an example also for other cities. Deputy Prime Minister added that premises left in degradable situation should be exploited and turned into European Institutions.
“We have established a model of cooperation : on one side the Government and on the other side foundations and different associations. The entire city is proud to have the best Elderly Homecare in the country. It will serve as a model for all Albania, where Government, on one side, and foundations and different associations, on the other side, will join forces to establish this standard. Government, state, has many institutions in a degradable situation, useless, which exist in miserable conditions, which through this cooperation can regain their shine,” Peleshi said.
Prime Minister Edi Rama continues his inspection in the Korca city.
