As many as 10 000 local residents will benefit from construction of the road between Balldren and Bend that connects administrative units and villages in Torovice, Balldren, Malecaj, Shkëmbi i Kuq and Kolajaka in Lezha municipality, northwest Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama inspected Tuesday the ongoing works in the area of Torovica, with local residents saying they were happy about the new 19.3 km road project, a constant pledge made by various cabinets and political parties over the past 30 years. The new road will provide local farmers direct access to the markets.

“The new road is a great help. We are very happy about this infrastructure investment that has not been implemented over past 30 years. I am a DP and opposition supporter and I am very happy about the road,” a local resident said.

Once construction of this road completes with work to build another road segment linking the two coastal towns of Shengjin and Velipoje set to kick off in Spring 2020, local residents will be provided direct access to bigger local markets. The government head urged residents to join their forces and together sell the locally-grown produce as a way to increase their negotiating skills regarding sales and prices, boosting also chances to export their products abroad.

“Work to construct Shengjin-Velipoje road will begin in Spring. That road will bring about a historic change to the whole area. You can then work out a fantastic way to sell the renowned locally grown produce watermelon. Coming together in such an effort is a game change. You can follow the lead of farmers in the country’s south. They join forces to sell their products collectively. Such a unification is needed to negotiate price and explore ways to export your products. This area has absolutely tremendous potential for growth and success. By coming together, you will be able to maximise profits,” PM Rama said.

Mayor of Lezha, Pjerin Ndreu underlined that a series of important development and rehabilitation projects will go on in this area.

“The work will go on. It won’t stop here. We will soon launch work to rehabilitate the drainage channels and the access channels,” Ndreu added.

The Balldren-Bend road reconstruction project is funded by the Albanian government and the road is scheduled to complete by November.