Prime Minister Edi Rama appeared today at a conference with the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, to announce the new reform in the drinking water sector, the removal of deposits from the roofs of buildings. A measure that, according to him, aims to improve supply and avoid the risks posed by old structures.
But while the announcement sounds like a step towards modernization, what is striking is the stark contrast between this proposal and the promise made by the prime minister himself in 2013: a 24-hour supply of drinking water within his first term.
For those who have forgotten, we are recalling his full words during the first electoral campaign:
"I haven't talked much about drinking water, do you know why I haven't talked? Because I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed of a 20-year history, every time there's a campaign we'll give you water 24 hours a day. After 20 years, there's still no water. And eight years in power... if I were in his place I would have left, I would have said: sorry, I couldn't make it. I did my best, but since I couldn't bring you water, I don't deserve it."
Today, not eight, but twelve years have passed in power, and Albania still does not have 24-hour water. And the prime minister not only has not fled, but he does not even blush when he announces the reform to abolish deposits. The tools that citizens have installed themselves and that show the reality of the spectacular failure of the state that has not guaranteed basic supply.
"It's time to continue with the plan to remove deposits that have become extraordinary burdens on buildings built long ago and could become a source of disasters. We must explain to people that removing deposits improves supply," said Rama.
In principle, no one is against removing deposits. But we hope that this action is accompanied by a 24-hour water supply and not by removing them from the terrace and taking them to the basement.
