FLASH
Shkruar nga Ola Xama
Let them not forget that this would not have been possible without the head of the National Territorial Council, Edi Rama, who created this market structure and economic model: our money can only go to a handful of people he gives permission to.
The news that SPAK has issued an arrest warrant for Artur Shehu, Ilir Shtufi and Orest Sota on suspicion of laundering money originating from drug trafficking is the most important operation that confirms the concern raised for years by the media and experts: the supply of dirty money to the construction market.
In a research I conducted a few months ago based on the leaked permits issued by the National Council of Territories in the capital for high-rise buildings, the group of companies associated with businessmen Ilir Shtufi, Kujtim Shtufi and Mark Luli turned out to have received the largest number of construction permits. The companies Nova Construction Group, (formerly Nova Construction 2012), Ferro Beton & Construction CO, Devealb Construction and MC Inerte were provided with 11 permits to build 727 thousand square meters of residential residences and hotels, an area that constitutes 15% of the total volume of permits issued for high-rise buildings approved by the National Council of Territories.
The Forever Construction company, owned by Lefter Sota, Orest Sota's father, has been granted 3 permits for towers with a total area of 238 thousand m2. An 18-storey building on "Gjergj Fishta" Boulevard with an area of 102 thousand m2, which will then be expanded to 155 thousand m2 in 2023. In 2022, two other permits were granted for the construction of a 12-storey building in the former Blloku area and the 30-storey "Manhatan 1" building on "Asim Vokshi" Street.
The other name for whom an arrest warrant has been issued, Artur Shehu, is the person who claims to have the largest land area in the project to be developed in Zvërnec for the construction of a tourist resort, with investors two Syrian brothers based in Qatar and promoted by the family members of the US President, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
An analysis of the balance sheets of companies building towers in Tirana shows that on average 80% of financing comes from pre-sales and clearing, a model that favors the penetration of dirty money into this sector. Of course, some customers may also be honest citizens who have given their savings or taken out loans to buy an apartment but today are not sure if it will ever be completed and if they will receive the investment for which they gave the money!
Let them not forget that this would not have been possible without the head of the National Territorial Council, Edi Rama, who created this market structure and economic model: our money can only go to a handful of people he gives permission to.
Today in the square and for this!
Lini një Përgjigje