The post-earthquake recovery efforts in the port city of Durres, the worst-hit area by a devastating earthquake on Nov 26 last year, are now in full swing with work underway to repair the damaged concrete and masonry wall buildings to make sure that local residents return to their normal way of life.

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Durres to inspect the ongoing work to fix damages to a 175-unit apartment building, about which, according to the Deputy Interior Minister Rovena Voda, accelerated building permit procedures have been applied.

The Deputy Mayor of Durres Zhuljen Varfaj said that the apartment building has sustained serious damages and that’s why work is proceeding at a fast pace. “Damages included the plaster and masonry wall damages, whereas the building’s structure remains solid,” he said.

The Premier noted that repair work should complete within March, saying efforts should primary focus on housing the quake-affected families to return back to their homes and then business. “You should focus on repairing the apartments so at least the affected families move into their homes, whereas repairing business units may take a little bit more time. I am confident that if work runs intensely on schedule, then work will complete by end of February and in early March,” PM Rama said.

The government head also underlined that work to fix other damaged apartment buildings should kick off as soon as possible, especially in the areas where reconstruction projects have yet to complete because more serious damages.

Repair works include interior walls, tile cladding, electricity installations etc.