5 Maji residents are getting ready to have their homes demolished on February 22.

They haven’t signed the agreement presented to them by the Municipality of Tirana, because they find it partial and untransparent.

One of the residents, Federik Zina, said to Euronews Albania that he has been promised that he’ll be compensated and receive the same number of square meters of space that was taken from him after the grand demolition project at 5 Maji neighborhood. However, he has received no information or guarantees in regards to when his new home will be available or where it will be located.

“I’ve been living in this area for the past 22 years. I didn’t sign the [City’s] agreement because I don’t agree with it. The agreement states that I am to give up on my property and provide my signature before a notary. The agreement doesn’t even have an official seal,” – said Zina.

In addition, the 5 Maji resident explained that his home has been legalized but he is still unable to get a government check to cover his rent because he refuses to sign the municipality’s contract.

Around 400 homes will be demolished in this neighborhood due to a grand reconstruction project. The government has announced that a new neighborhood will be built here, which will house citizens whose homes suffered damages from the 2019 earthquake as well as existing residents who used to live here for years.

However, residents claim that they’ve been given no guarantees from the government and that they’re being forcefully evicted from their homes.

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