An audit of the National Inspectorate for Territorial Protection by the Supreme State Audit Office has highlighted a lack of coordination between institutions, resulting in construction being allowed in protected, museum or tourist areas.
The SAI, which has analyzed several years from 2020-2024, finds that there has been no shortage of reports of illegal interventions, but the delegation to the regional directorates of the Inspectorate or to other institutions due to lack of competence has led to a lack of reaction. In cases where it has been established, according to the SAI, that there has been a violation of the law and the demolition of the building has been requested, this measure has been delayed.
"IKMT has not been committed to carrying out the necessary inspections to guarantee the protection of the territory from illegal constructions in areas or objects of national importance, following alerts received from other public institutions (such as the National Institute of Cultural Heritage/Regional Directorates of Cultural Heritage, the National Coastal Agency/Regional Coastal Agencies, the administration of protected areas, etc.). In cases where there is a demolition decision, they continue to not be executed, subsequently leading to an increase in cases of illegal constructions," the audit states.
The SAI starts with 2020, where according to auditors, there were 4 cases reported by the National Coastal Agency for illegal works in coastal areas, 4 cases reported by the AKZM for illegal works in protected areas, 5 cases reported by IKTK/DRTK for illegal works in museum areas/cultural monuments.
A good portion of these cases have been delegated by the Chief Inspector, but in none of the cases cited does it appear that the IKMT, with a joint working group with representatives of the aforementioned public institutions, has verified the situation on the ground and, in the event of violations being found, has implemented the legal procedures in force.
The same situation, even at a higher level of alerts, was reported in 2024 and the panorama is similar.
In this context, the SAI has recommended that measures be taken to conduct inspections to verify reports from public institutions responsible for monitoring areas of national importance (including coastal areas, protected areas and cultural heritage areas/museum areas), through IKMT structures, with joint representatives with the reporting institution, as well as following further steps in case of ascertainment of violations, until the final handling of the issues and response to the relevant ministries/institutions./ Monitor.al/
