Author: birnEU

During the debate, where the main opponent, Muahrrem Shabani, AAK, was not present, Mulaku promised that in the first half of 2014, Vushtrri municipality will have 24 hour water supply through the new factory in Bainc village, and that in the upcoming four years the water supply network will be repaired to supply water to all villages of Vushtrri.

According to Mulaku, agriculture will be another priority, in order to strengthen the economy.
“In 2014 we will invest around 154 thousand euro. 30 thousand euro will be allocated for milking pumps, 25 thousand euro for arboriculture, 15 thousand euro for beekeeping and 10 thousand euro for jetties on the Sitnica River, without taking into account the 50 thousand euro fund dedicated to other projects in agriculture,” said Mulaku.

Further, Mulaku added that there will be improvements to the fiscal policies, especially with regards to tax reductions for certain business categories.

He also noted the future focus on infrastructure. The following are the main projects that Mulaku pledged to focus during his next mandate: road infrastructure with European standards, the main city boulevard, walking paths, revitalisation of cultural heritage building and their utilisation as economic assets.

Mulaku also pledged that he will work towards a more sustainable economic development of Vushtrri municipality. According to him, businesses, especially the manufacturing ones, will have a better environment to operate and grow. He also promised the creation of free economic zones and support to new businesses through incubators. The strategy for foreign investments and will be developed and a municipal office to fundraise for EU funds will be established.

Mulaku said that he will also focus on improving the quality of pre-university education with the supply of didactic tools, digitalisation of schools etc. He also committed to improvement in healthcare, social welfare and cultural heritage.

He concluded that all the promised projects will cost 82 million euro for four years, which will be generated from municipal revenue, governmental grants and other sources.

Ai gjatë këtij debati i cili u zhvillua pa kundër kandidatin e tij, Ramadan Muja, premtoi se gjatë mandatit të tij katër vjecarë, Prizreni nuk do të ketë probleme me ujë, eksperti i tij, tha se brenda mandatit 4 vjecar do të ndërrohen të gjitha gypat e tubacioneve të ujit dhe problemi me ujë do të evitohet.

Specifically, he pledged that he will improve the situation with water supply, promising to change the existing pipes. He added that he will stop illegal construction in the old part and the historic part of the town.

“Buildings that have acquired the licence, but are situated in this area will be demolished and reimbursed from the municipality and no further illegal construction will be allowed in this area,” pledged Kryeziu.

He also presented his plans for increased parking spaces and an underground parking area to be build through a public-private partnership.

Kryeziu promised that no nepotism will be tolerated in municipal services and that he will focus on collecting accumulated debts towards the municipality.

A business park was also pledged during the debate, where 80 factories employing four thousand people will be located there.

Kryeziu also spoke about his plans with regards to road infrastructure, including the 2.5 kilometer Prizen – Landovica road, which will cost 2.5 million euro.

The healthcare expert from Kryeziu’s cabinet said that healthcare will be a priority in the upcoming four years. In this regard she revealed the four main priorities: decrease in illnesses and mortality rates, quality services, medical equipment in line with European standards and a sustainable financial system. She noted that the Family Medical Centres around Prizren will be renovated too.

Kryeziu did not promise anything with regards to the city fortress, however, he added that youth will be one of his primary focuses, offering double the funds offered to Dokufest International Short Film and Documentary festival from the previous mayor, amounting to a toal of 60 thousand yearly.

Both candidates have spoken in details about their plans on spending the municipal budget on capital investments in the four upcoming years.

Aliu has promised to build a hospital at the former animal market with the help of the Ministry of Health and the central government. This, according to him, will cost 20 million euro and will have the capacities to accommodate 300 patients.

Svarqa, on the other hand, promised to build a hospital with half the capacity of that promised by Aliu, which according to him, will cost 2.5 million euro.

Aliu promised that 170 thousand euro will be allocated to support businesses, and help them with plans and ideas, in the quest of creating new jobs for Ferizaj citizens.

Svarqa revealed that he will create three thousand jobs in agriculture in four years, adding that if only 10 per cent of his plans for employment are not implemented, he will resign immediately.

Svarqa also spoke about his plans to improve the road infrastructure and their lighting in the entire Ferizaj municipality. According to him, this will cost 30 million euro, noting that in the four years of his mandate Ferizaj will have 39 million euro for capital investment.

He also said that the railway going through the city will put in a cage, in order not to jeopardize the everyday life of citizens. This will cost 600 thousand euro, according to Svarqa.

Aliu promised that the roads going to Prishtina and Shtime will be expanded to four lanes, a project estimated to cost around 4.5 million euro. He also mentioned renovation of the Ferizaj – Nerodime – Jezerc – Budakova – Suhareka road, amounting to 9 million euro with the help of the central government.

PDK’s candidate running for Mayor of Rahovec, elaborated his main projects wich among others include the Regulating Plan for the urban part and biggest villages of the municipality, Krushë e Madhe, Xërxë and Ratkoc,improving drinking water problem within the city of Rahovec, expanding the drinking water system in the villages, building of a new school in the Opterushë village, building two physical education halls in the schools of the villages Xërxë and Krushë të Madhe, and building a new building for the families of war martyrs etc.

On the other side, AAK’s candidate, Smajl Latifi choose to elaborate his priority projects through experts of differnet fields, who promised to resovle to drinking water problem which will cost approximately EUR 387.000, a project foreseen to be funded party by the municipality while the rest will be funded through different donors.

The experts representing candidate Latifi also promised implementing a project on the draining system of agricultural lands in the villages Gexhë, Malësi e Vogël and Ratkoc, which will cost approximately EUR 497.000.
Financing of the project is expected to be shared between the municipality and Ministry of Agriculture; villages Celinë and Fortesë will be part of the second draining channedl which will cost EUR 437.000; the construction of the irrigation system of villages Opterushë and Zeqishtë amounting to EUR 170.000 also to be financed by the Ministry of Agriculture and the municipality; construction of the economical zone in the vilalge Opterusht, where about 50 small bussineses will be placed is estimated to cost about EUR 445.000, which is a joint project with the municipality of Suhareka.

When moderator Jeta Xharra asked the candidates on naming three artists coming from this municipality, neither of them were able to answer, only saying “there are lots of artists”, while the same silence was spotted also when they were asked what was the last theatrical play or cultural event they went to in Rahovec. However, Smajl Latifi said that within one year he will support the culture with about EUR 50.000.

When asked what they want to leave as legaly to be remember by their constituents, PDK’s Vehapi said that he want to be remembered as a good manager, good Mayor and a responsible and concious Mayor.

On the other side, AAK’s Latifi said that he wants to be remembered for the investements he made especially those related to economic development but also as a Mayor who kept and cultivated national values.

In the absence of his opponent in the debate, Enver Berisha, AAK, Bashota mentioned the water factory, which, according to him, will be functional in the beginning of 2014.

He also promised to build three new schools, including the one in Upper Jashanica, which will accommodate 300 pupils, as opposed to the existing schools which accommodates only about 60 pupils. In this regard, he also promised to increase the capacities of the existing kindergarten in the city.

Bashota also promised to build the Ismet Raci elementary school, estimated to cost around 1.6 million euro, co-financed from the Ministry of Education. According to him the school will be ready in 2016.He also promised three buildings to accommodate war veterans, with 100 apartments.

Following the discovery of a mosaic, dating back to Illyrian times, Bashota also promised further archaeological research co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, for which he has allocated 150 thousand euro from the municipal budget.

Investments in agriculture will amount to 600 thousand euro in the four-year mandate.

Bashota promised that in the scope of his mandate, he will fix the riverbed of Drin River, with investment totalling to 1 million euro.

With 20,160 votes (43.95%) Mimoza Kusari-Lila from AKR and Pal Lekaj from AAK with 16,376 votes (35.7%) were the candidates vying for the second round of election in the municipality of Gjakova.

During the debate held at the Municipal Assembly of Gjakova the candidates presented five large projects they foresee to implement in their next mandate. The newly-elected municipal MPs were also present during the debate.

Both candidates expressed their gratitude to the citizens who voted for them and enabled a smooth and democratic electoral process.

The candidates were reminded of the pledges made during the first round of electoral debates, and were given time to further elaborate on their implementation and the costs to be endured. Given that Gjakova is a city with economic potential; both Kusari-Lila and Lekaj centred their projects on economic revival.

Kusari- Lila (AKR) presented the following five projects for the citizens of Gjakova: road and water infrastructure, conference centre for the municipality of Gjakova, “New Gjakova” project, as well as projects in agriculture and tourism. All these projects were based on donations from international organisation, and according to her, during the first three years of her mandate the municipality will be able to fundraise six to seven million euro. Some of them will also be implemented through public-private partnership, enabling job creation for 2,000 people.

Lekaj (AAK) promised the following projects: economic development, including support to large businesses, SMEs, small businesses and family businesses, tourism, the city park etc.

During the debate held at the Municipal Assembly of Junik the candidates presented five large projects they foresee to implement in their next mandate. The newly-elected municipal MPs were also present during the debate.

Both candidates expressed their gratitude to the citizens who voted them and enabled a fair and democratic election process.

The candidates were played the pledges made during the first round of electoral debates, and were given time to further elaborate on their implementation and the costs to be endured.

Agron Kuqi (AAK) detailed his plans with regards to the coach station, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, sports facilities and many other projects too. Meanwhile Zenun Shala (LDK) elaborated on education, professional admin staff, quality healthcare services, subsidiaries in agriculture, sport, infrastructure and cost cutting.

Five main projects presented by Kuqi were mainly based on the premise of donations from international organisations. They include a factory for collecting forest fruits, master feasibility plan, support to SMEs, Morenica complex, and tourism. While elaborating on these projects, Kuqi left out infrastructure projects which he promised during the first round of electoral debates.

Zenun Shala from LDK presented the following five projects: road infrastructure, green market place, two sports facilities, one public kindergarten, and watering services.

Shala from LDK directed criticism for the current municipal governance, and according to him the mayor had started many projects but left them unfinished. He also mentioned Kuqi’s holiday house, which according to him was built with donations from the European Commission, which in fact were allocated for a tourism centre.

Buja came first with 10,575 of votes, or 36 per cent, while Imri Ahmeti came second with 10,294 votes or 35 per cent.

During the Life in Municipality debate, both candidates came with detailed presentations on five largest projects they envisaged to implement in their mandate as the mayor of Lipjan. The discussion was also joined by the newly elected local MPs, according to the preliminary results of the Central Election Commission, CEC. Newly elected local MPs of LVV and AAK did not attend the debate.

Both candidates expressed their gratitude to the citizens who voted for them and enabled a smooth and democratic electoral process.

Buja and Ahmeti were played footages of their electoral pledges, made during the first round of Life in Municipality debates, and were asked to further elaborate on these project and their costs. They spoke in detail about the ways in which they will implement these projects, the source of funding and the details cost analysis.

Buja expanded further on his plan of renovating the coach station, improving the state of agriculture and his focus on tourism for the next mandate. On the other hand, Ahmeti explained his plans for agriculture, improving road infrastructure in some of the villages of Lipjan and the overall improvements in local governance of the municipality.

According to the 2014-2016 Mid-term Budget Framework, the municipality will continue to spend the largest share of its budget on the budget category ‘Wages and Per-Diems’, while the Subsidiaries will be increased 40% in 2015.
Five main projects of Shukri Buja were focused on education, culture youth and sports, economy, tourism and agriculture, infrastructure and environment and healthcare and social welfare (410 thousand euro), totalling to 12,3 milion euro of municipal budget. The five projects were presented on slides with details on the source of investment and the costs.

On the other hand, Ahmeti’s projects focused on finalising road infrastructure of the remaining villages of Lipjan, sewage system, water supply network, new schools, stadiums and other sport facilities.

The debate was further enriched with questions that citizens sent through the Kallxo.com platform.

The confrontation between the two was tense because Sinani asked Surdulli to apologize for the case that was opened to the court against him for misusing his official position as mayor. The court exonerated him.

“I have no reason to apologize because I still believe that Sinani misused his position. I respect the court’s decision, but it doesn’t affect my conviction, which is based on facts,” said Surdulli.

During the first part of the debate, the candidates were faced with the promises given during the debate ahead of the first round of elections. During the second part, they presented their projects through slides.

Shaip Surdulli presented the water supply factory project for the villages Rogan, Muqiverrc, Hodonovc, Dajkovc. For this project he promised to allocate 587,000 euro and declared that it will be completed within the first year.

Another project was creating a canal in the Korretin village, which will cost 170,000 euro. Surdulli also promised to build a school in the Rogan village, which would cost 900,000 to 1 million euro and be sponsored by the EU. The school will take two years to build. His other projects include building an athletic field, which costs 30,000 euro and the stadium’s restaurant in Kamenica which will cost 45,000 euro.

The total cost of the LDK candidate’s projects is 2.45 million euro.

Sinani also promised projects for Kamenica. His priorities were focused on fixing sidewalks in the center of the city, costing 38,000 euro. Another priority was providing water to families living in upper floors of apartment buildings, which costs 17,000 euro. Also, he promised to repair the apartment building roofs with a cost of 38,000 euro, the promenade with a cost 38,000, fix the park behind the Social Work Center with a cost of 21,500 euro, resolve the greenhouse property problem, construct the business park with a cost of 110,000 euro and maintain green areas for four years costing 45 euro.

Another project involves the Malesia neighborhood, where main priorities are fixing the roads, public lighting and the athletic field near the school. These projects add up to a cost of 380,800 euro.

Reconstruction is also being planned in the Cameria neighborhood, which includes fixing road infrastructure, sewer systems, public lighting, maintaining the cemeteries, and the creation of a sports field. This project will cost of 101, 500 euro.

Sinani also has a project for the Iliria neighbourhood, which involves fixing sidewalks, improving the water supply, fixing the Ramadan Kastrati and the Adem Jashari roads, public lighting and reconstructing the stadium. The following changes are expected to cost 348,500 euro.

According to the plan for Kamenica drafted by PDK, the Rubovci village will also be included in building sidewalks, fixing the roads and public lighting. Expected to cost 56,700 euro.

In the Busavad village, PDK will invest in sidewalks and public lighting costing 59,800 euro. In the Berivojc village, money will be invested toward improving the riverbed, school and sidewalks, costing 312,500 euro. In this plan, the Koretin village will be improved including the river bed, school, sidewalks, public lighting, costing 600,000 euro.Projects in the Topanic village will cost 223,700 euro, 106,000 euro in Hodonovc, 286,000 euro in Rogane, 135,000 euro in Muqiverc, 26,500 euro in Shipashnice e Poshtme and 263,000 euro in Shipashnice e Eperme.The total cost of investments for Sinani is 3,800 thousand euro.

Sinani coming in with 55.1 percent of votes was the winner of the second round of elections held on December, 1 in the municipality of Kamenica.