Investigative show Vetting
Official documents show that the state-owned company Albanian Investment Corporation, which is supposed to take care of the project, has problems with the management of public funds and is an institutional financial bomb that is expected to explode at any moment. The way it uses public funds, the lack of transparency and the allocation of public money according to decisions by the director Elira Kokona and not according to the law, indicate serious consequences for public wealth.
According to the report of the Supreme State Audit, the Corporation has operated with serious shortcomings in the management of public money and in the way it has made decisions. According to the audit, projects have been launched without full analysis of how much they cost, what risks they have and what benefits they bring to the economy. This shows that decision-making is based more on general predictions than on concrete facts. In some cases, funds have been spent on studies and consultancy, but the projects have been discontinued or have not advanced, leaving behind wasteful spending.
One of the most problematic cases is related to the granting of a 2 billion lek loan to Albcontrol, to cover the fact that Albcontrol has had problems with funds, but also with the consequences that the Albanian government's decisions with international courts have brought. This is because the payment is related to the international Bechetti court case, which is not directly related to the corporation's purpose and which has exposed its funds to risk, as the loan was not returned within the deadline and was postponed.
The report notes that financial documentation has been problematic, with delays in submitting financial statements and tax returns, as well as inconsistencies and different versions for the same periods, creating uncertainty and the risk of legal penalties.
According to the Czech expert, in Albania no one is in their own place and this is our country's problem.
"If there is a big difference between Albania and the EU, where we want to go is that the EU has the standards and then the law. In Albania, the law is above the standards and Maliqi makes the law," said economic expert Enriko Ceko.
According to the audit, internal control is weak, with a lack of clear regulations, a risk management strategy and a clear division of responsibilities between managers and financial staff. Problems have also been identified in the functioning of the governing bodies, including a lack of documents confirming the fulfillment of the criteria by members of the supervisory board, vacancies in management and unclear payments for some functions. Overall, the Supreme State Audit Office describes an institution that has operated without financial discipline, with decisions not properly supported and with a constant risk of mismanagement of public funds.
While the report speaks of total chaos in the administration of the Corporation by Elira Kokona, the latter now also has control of the technology park, which is the target of the Special Prosecution Office.
"Durana Tech Park" was presented as a symbol of innovation, but so far, what has resulted is a project that favors people connected to criminal activities, violations of national security, and people connected to high-ranking officials.
