Prime Minister Edi Rama attended an event on Wednesday focused on underground infrastructure in urban areas. The event highlighted efforts to remove overhead cables and improvised structures that affect the appearance of cities, the gradual transition to underground infrastructure, and the role of municipalities in the process.

During his speech, Rama said that it is now possible to clear cities of what he described as “plastic spiderwebs” of cables, noting that many of them are no longer functional. He also announced that a new national initiative related to water supply and sewage infrastructure will be unveiled in early July, describing it as a comprehensive intervention program.

“It is now possible to clean up our cities from those plastic spiderwebs of cables, a legacy of a period that had its own consequences during a phase of necessary development. As the inventory shows, many of these cables are no longer functional, a sign of neglect and lack of attention,” Rama said.

The Prime Minister revealed that the government will launch the new National Urban Renaissance 2.0 Program during a local government conference in the first ten days of July.

“This is a major strategic initiative for communities across the country. The program is currently being prepared by state institutions in consultation with municipalities under the supervision of Minister Demo. It aims to address several issues that have reached a point where comprehensive solutions are needed,” Rama stated.

According to Rama, the program will focus on completing uninvested sections of the water supply and sewage network, while also addressing remaining infrastructure gaps that have yet to be covered.

“The program will provide a comprehensive response to the remaining needs of the water and sewage infrastructure network,” he said.

Rama added that the initiative will also seek to improve urban and intercity public transportation.

“The weakest point remains transportation during the peak tourist season, when it becomes very difficult for tourists and visitors to move around using public transport. This is an area that must be taken to another level,” the Prime Minister concluded.