The KURUM hazardous waste scandal has caused strong clashes within the National Environmental Agency (NEA). On January 27, Marjeta Përlala, the Director General of NEA, delegated powers to her confidant, Elona Uzmutlu, in a move that appears to be linked to concerns about the progress of the investigations.
However, Uzmutlu had not yet entered the director's office when the Minister of Environment, Sofjan Jaupaj, issued a new order, delegating the powers of the Director General of the KTA to his confidant, Athanas Karaja.
It is likely that the new developments on the issue of KURUM waste are expected to bring a new perspective to the National Environment Agency, where the interests of the new minister and the leaders of this institution have clearly begun to clash, just as happened in the Municipality of Tirana with the departure of Erion Veliaj. The coming hours will show more clearly what the panorama will be in what is expected to happen with one of the hottest and least affected by the press issues: that of the considered hazardous waste of KURUM, transported from the port of Durrës, including the responsibility of the company's leaders and Albanian institutions in this process.
Below is the official order, according to which Karaja will exercise the duty of Director General of the National Environmental Agency until further notice.
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DELEGATION OF COMPETENCES TO THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY
In accordance with Article 102, point 4, of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, Law No. 44/2015 “Code of Administrative Procedures of the Republic of Albania”, Law No. 90/2012 “On the organization and functioning of the state administration”, Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 513, dated 25.09.2025 “On determining the scope of state responsibility of the Ministry of Environment”, referring to letter No. 2118/2, dated 28.01.2026, registered at the Ministry of Environment with No. 636 prot., dated 28.01.2026, subject “For information”,
ORDER:
1. Mr. Athanas Karaja, Director General of the General Directorate of Regulation and Compliance, in the Ministry of Environment, to perform, in addition to his current duties, the duties of the Director General of the National Environment Agency (NEA).
2. Mr. Karaja will exercise the additional duties, starting from 29.01.2026, until the repeal of this order.
3. The Directorate of Human Resources, Assets and Services in the Ministry of Environment, the Directorate of Finance and Support Services in the National Environment Agency, as well as all structures of the NEA, are charged with the follow-up and implementation of this Order.
This Order shall enter into force immediately.
