The work to rehabilitate 27 residential buildings with damages equal to DS1, DS2, DS3 damage level in Shijak is expected to complete by early December. The traces of the last Nov 26 have been almost completely erased from these buildings, where intense work is underway to repair and reinforce every apartment and every communal premise.
Prime Minister Edi Rama today visited some of the transformed residential buildings whose repair and renovation included a total update of their exterior and interior. Local residents invited PM Rama to visit their apartments.
“In addition to the ongoing work to build new private family homes in Shijak municipality, repair and renovation work is also underway on 27 residential buildings. Some 16 families reside in this building. It is an apartment building that has sustained damages equal to DS3. The post-earthquake damage repair works included exterior facade cladding, reinforcement and retrofitting of the structure and repair of each apartment. The water deposits have been removed from the building’s roof and two much bigger ground water deposits have been installed instead to ensure water supply to the residents. Today work will continue to repair the staircases and communal premises and entire process will conclude with painting of the entire residential building. Residents have elected two administrators of each residential building to closely supervise the repair work,” Shijak Mayor Elton Arbana said, showing also pictures of these buildings a year ago that clearly evidence the dramatic transformation they have gone through.
“We can’t find the right words to express our gratitude. Our son (Shijak Mayor) and his team have done utmost effort to do their best. We are very pleased to welcoming you here,” one of the residents said after hosting PM Rama in his newly-reconstructed apartment.
“The worst is over and a better future lies ahead of every one of you,” PM Rama.
The government head then inspected another severely-damaged apartment building that needs structural reinforcement. “This is a six-storey residential building. We are witnessing the columns reinforcement process. This is one of the tallest buildings in the town of Shijak that needs structural intervention. After completing the renovation works in every apartment and the facade repair process, we are now reinforcing the building’s structure,” Mayor Arbana said.
A bit further, another three-storey building has been totally transformed, providing not only safer apartments, but also recreational and comfortable outdoor spaces for local residents.
PM Rama inspected the entire area around the residential buildings, where everything will be ready ahead of the New Year’s Eve 2021.
