Prime Minister Edi Rama visited again the beach area in the port city of Durres today to closely inspect the works progress under the first phase of the reconstruction process of the declared uninhabitable residential buildings slightly damaged by the devastating earthquake that hit Albania on November 26 last year.

Accompanied by the Mayor of Durres Zhuljen Varfaj and the Deputy Interior Minister Rovena Voda, the government head inspected ongoing works to repair several apartment buildings after due construction permits were issued since January 24. Local authorities are issuing permits for the repair of this category of buildings, the Deputy Interior Minister Voda informed, adding that “permits are awarded according to rigorously designed projects that meet best legal and European standards.”

According to Durres Mayor works to repair damaged buildings continue on two fronts, in the exterior of the buildings and in the apartments,” adding that lack of skilled labour force remains a serious problem.

“This is a widespread problem not only here but all over the country,” PM Rama noted. “Everyone looks for a job, but when it comes to employment, they all want to take up government and public administration jobs and when you ask them to attend training and qualification programs, not everyone is ready for that. However, we have already passed the legislation to attract foreign skilled workers. As absurd as it may sound, this is the fact and it’s not just us, but the entire region is doing so.”

The completion of the first reconstruction phase will allow some 1859 families to return back to their apartment homes by the end of March. PM Rama stressed that while the process of issuing permits for the repairs of residential buildings, “we will announce the international procedure for construction of the private houses.”