Journalist Klodiana Lala, invited to the show 'This Week' on News24 Moderator Nisida Tufa focused on the Vlora airport scandal, which SPAK is investigating. She announced that initially charges were filed against two members of the concession awarding commission, but currently their number has increased to seven, who are being investigated for abuse of office in connection with tenders.
According to her, the investigation launched by SPAK began about five years ago, following a complaint from a company excluded from the competition. The focus is on the Vlora Airport project, which is being built in the Narta area, a territory also discussed for ownership issues and protected status.
Preliminary investigations show that the commission members favored a consortium of economic operators, including Mabco Construction, YDA Group (which later withdrew) and 2A Group. According to Lala, these companies did not complete the necessary documentation, but were nevertheless declared winners. She emphasized that the investigations do not stop only with the commission members. A second part of the file, considered "top secret", includes high-level officials, while the role of institutions, including the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, is being verified. According to the journalist, it is suspected that the competition was predetermined and the winning companies were selected in advance. Meanwhile, the airport project remains blocked due to clashes between shareholders, leaving one of the largest infrastructure investments in the country in an unclear situation. In conclusion, Lala emphasized that, due to the sensitivity of the investigation and the lack of publication of names, caution should be exercised in handling the case, while it is expected that the investigations will shed light on responsibilities at higher levels.
"When I reported the news, charges were filed against two people, members of the concession awarding commission. Today, there are 7 members accused of embezzlement for tenders. It is an investigation that was launched 5 years ago after a company was denounced that was excluded from the competition. Vlora Airport is being built in the Narta area, which has been rumored for property theft. There was also a lot of discussion about the part of the protected area, although the government gave it as a concession. From the investigations of SPAK, it turns out that the members of the Concession Awarding Commission have favored the merger of economic operators, which is about "Mabco Costruksion", Pacolli, "Yda Group" (the Turkish company that withdrew) and "2A Group", which are in a strong conflict with each other, a long series of court proceedings and mutual accusations. It turns out that these companies did not have the necessary documentation, but the members of this commission did not ascertained and announced the inviting companies. But are these 7 members the culprits? The second part of the investigation involves senior officials, an investigation that is being kept top secret. It is about an investigation of officials at high levels. It is about the Ministry of Infrastructure, which Mr. Rama has trumpeted this project a lot. These companies turn out to be predetermined. It turns out that the competition was predetermined. The role of senior officials is being seen. What should worry us today is the fact that Vlora airport has been held hostage, after there was a clash between two shareholders. As long as the names have not been made public, we must be careful, as we are talking about major infrastructure works," she stated.
