While the investigations into the fire that destroyed a building in Tirana have not yet been completed and builder Armando Lilo has been declared wanted, two figures who under normal circumstances would not have appeared together appeared at the scene to meet residents: Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu and a representative of the construction firm Arlis.
The message of the meeting seems clear: "we are not to blame."
Such a reaction from a construction company is almost expected. After all, every business tries to protect itself and its interests, especially when faced with accusations that can have serious legal and financial consequences.
But the situation takes on another dimension when a member of the government appears in this role.
Because while the investigative bodies have not yet reached a conclusion about the responsibilities of the fire and the materials used on the facade, the presence of a deputy prime minister at a meeting where, in essence, the message of the construction firm's innocence is conveyed raises a simple question: what signal is being given to the investigators?
In theory, institutions should wait for the investigation to be completed. In practice, when a high-ranking government representative appears alongside company representatives, the line between political support and protection of private interests becomes very blurred.
And this is exactly where the problem begins.
Because for the public, it is no longer an ordinary encounter with the residents of a burning building. It is a scene where the government seems to take on the role of mediator — or rather, lawyer — for a construction company whose owner is wanted.
As for the prime minister's stance, it's not a big mystery. He has long made it clear that for the construction industry in Albania, the main problem is not responsibility, but the pace of development. And as long as builders continue to build towers in Tirana, the system seems to be working.
In this logic, responsibility becomes a secondary issue.
Because when a builder like Armando Lilo is part of this system and an important client of the tower economy that is changing the skyline of Tirana, then a fire, a problematic facade, or a criminal investigation are not necessarily reasons to stop business.
They are simply unpleasant episodes that pass.
And while the investigation continues, one thing seems to have become clear very quickly: the firm is not at fault. At least according to the most powerful lawyer a construction company in Albania can have — Albana Koçiut.
