As was warned by authorities exactly one week ago, this Monday marks the official start of the state-ordered operation coined ‘Our Coast’ by PM Rama, whose mission is bringing down objects around the Albanian coast that have been built illegally or without a building permit. PM Rama also emphasized that another part of the operation will be following legal action against those individuals found to be breaking the law.
The operation will officially start in two locations, namely Ksmail and Velipoja, which are situated in the northern and southernmost extremities of the Albanian coastline and will thus allow authorities to move in each respective direction to then finally meet in the middle.
In Velipoja, a total of 15 objects are planned to be demolished whereas in Ksamil a total of 30, varying from 1 to 5 stories each.
Euronews Albania’s correspondent in Shkoder, Teodor Gjerga stated that in Velipoja, the demolition process of 15 illegal objects this morning has yet to start.
Accoridng to Gjerga, police forces as well as authorities from the National Inspectorate for the Protection of the Territory have arrived since early in the morning in order to take all measures for the beginning of this action.
“There are two new structures built by the beach, whereas the other objects are illegal additions to existing buildings that are situated away from the coastline,” – stated Gjerga.
On the other hand, Euronews Albania’s correspondent in Saranda, Viktor Avdiaj reported from Ksamil that the demolition of illegal buildings was planned to start at 8:00 a.m. but is now postponed to 11:00 a.m.
According to Avdiaj, the 30 objects that are set to be demolished today, were built mainly in the last couple of years, a good part of which before the recent elections.
“IKMT authorities are being accompanied by the task force of the Police Department of Saranda,”- reported the journalist, reemphasizing that the illegal buildings vary from 1-5 stories each.
As of this moment, in neither Velipoja nor Ksamil, there haven’t been any reactions from the owners of the objects expected to be brought down.
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