Millions of damage from protests on Nation Street

Albania's Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Damian Gjiknuri expressed regret today over Saturday's violence during the protest of putting the tax on the Nation's Road, while saying the damage amounts to several million euros.

The “is becoming the preliminary assessment, but from the first data the damage amounts to several million euros. The damage was done, not to a private, but to Albanian taxpayers. Only for the asphalt deal is 11m euros. It was not the language of the people, but a politically motivated violence”, the minister said.

Gjiknuri pointed out that concession is not new because it has been given since 2016.

“The maintenance and cost associated with an unknown concept in Albania. The use of the fee has been projected since the government's time “Berisha”. Tarifa has been approved in time, we have to reconfirm it. The maintenance requires 1.5m euros per km”, Minister Gjiknuri said.

Gjiknuri stressed that the road is not yet finished, while seeking investment in maintenance.

The circulation tax is not enough to maintain it. It's a costly asset”, he said.