By Nevila Gjata

In March 2021, Prime Minister Edi Rama promised, in a solo ‘One Man Show’ format, ‘We will finally guarantee, once and for all, 100% drinking water 24 hours a day in the urban areas of the 61 municipalities across the country. Drinking water will no longer be a topic for electoral campaigns or political confrontations during elections.’

However, this has not turned out to be the case. Rama, in his characteristic style but now interacting with his followers through the ‘Sy më Sy’ (Eye to Eye) segment, mentioned the water issue (not just once, but three times) during the election period in February.

The first time, he stated that when the Socialist Party came to power, there was not a single area with 24-hour drinking water. The second time, he contradicted himself, saying they found only four areas with drinking water, and the third time, he remarked that today, 67% of the territory in Tirana has access to drinking water.

Rama in 2013

‘I didn’t talk much about drinking water. Do you know why I didn’t talk? Because I’m ashamed. I’m ashamed of a 20-year-long history where, every election, they promised 24-hour water. After 20 years, there’s still no water, and if I had been in his (Berisha’s) shoes for 8 years, I would’ve resigned. I would’ve said, ‘I’m sorry, I couldn’t do it, I did my best, but since I didn’t manage to bring you water, I don’t deserve it…’,’ said Edi Rama while campaigning for his first term as prime minister.

In fact, contrary to his advice to his predecessor, Rama remained in power for over a decade, still making the same promise for 24-hour water.

Rama in 2021

Four years ago, while campaigning for a third term, Rama discussed the long history of strategic documents related to the water sector, highlighting that, despite the creation of 23 national strategies and 78 strategic documents (up until 2013), the drinking water supply system was in complete collapse. Rama criticized corruption and the bankruptcy of water supply companies, pointing out that the old system couldn’t handle the demand from a population concentrated in urban centers. ‘But during this period, 320 technical projects and over 200 construction sites for water supply and sewerage have been implemented at the national level, aiming to ensure 24-hour water supply for urban communities that have suffered for decades…’ stated Rama in 2021.

Rama in 2025

‘Now listen, you’ve brought up a topic I really enjoy. In 2025, we will be discussing many things, and if you don’t like us talking about water, let me remind you that this issue is not just ours, okay? Because when we took office in 2013, Albania only had 24-hour water in 4 areas. Four areas! Today, we have 43 urban areas and 98 rural areas with 24-hour water. Of course, there are still other areas where we need to increase supply,’ Rama responded to a follower recently on social media.

Yesterday?

‘In our third mandate, I will ensure 24-hour water supply in stages for Tirana, where the biggest issue lies, given the significant concentration of population due to a massive movement of people over the years, creating a huge demand for investment in the water supply system. When I say we’ll have 24-hour water in Tirana during our third mandate, that includes Kamza and Vora, but the same will apply to Vlora, Shkodra, and Durrës, which have never had 24-hour water, and today, we’ve seen a significant improvement in water supply, including in Elbasan, Kukës, and along the tourist areas of Albania,’ declared Rama in 2021.

Today?

‘Tirana, my dear, has 24-hour water in 67% of its territory and an average of 17 hours of water in the rest. Meanwhile, investments continue here in Tirana and across the entire Albania, where, let’s be clear, there has never been 24-hour water, not even during the communist era. Today, however, areas with 24-hour water continue to increase,’ said Rama in the ‘Sy më Sy’ (Eye to Eye) segment on February 23rd.

Compared to the past, Prime Minister Rama, using the same strategy as four years ago, attempts to frame the ongoing challenges as being addressed, despite the unfulfilled repeated promise of 24-hour water.

Three times within a month, the Prime Minister has sought to present this progress as a huge success (from 4 areas with water to 43 urban areas and 98 rural areas). However, the promise of 24-hour water supply still remains unfulfilled nationwide, even though the price has risen. Meanwhile, the Water Regulatory Authority, in its most recent report, provided the annual balance for 2023.

A New Campaign, Old Propaganda

Rama is not alone. He has focused heavily on the issue of 24-hour water in Tirana, where the largest voter base lies. Faktoje.al has reported multiple statements from Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana, over the years, showing how, as early as 2015, he too promised 24-hour water in the city at different times.

Analysis

‘Regarding Rama’s statements, he has promised 24-hour water in all three of his terms, starting in 2013. In 2017 and 2021, he promised 24-hour water for all 61 municipalities. Today, he presents fictitious figures, claiming that 67% of Tirana has drinking water with 24-hour service, but neither of these claims is true. The same can be said for Veliaj’s statements over his terms. ‘Sy më sy’ (Eye to Eye) appears to be a new form of propaganda, rather than confronting the facts and being held accountable for the promises made during these three mandates,’ says political analyst Ilir Kalemaj for Faktoje.al.

Prime Minister Edi Rama on Water (2013-2015)

Rama, 2013

‘I didn’t talk much about drinking water. Do you know why I didn’t talk? Because I’m ashamed. I’m ashamed of a 20-year-long history where, every election, they promised 24-hour water. After 20 years, there’s still no water. If I had been in his (Berisha’s) place for eight years, I would have resigned. I would have said, ‘I’m sorry, I couldn’t do it, I did my best, but since I couldn’t provide you with water, I don’t deserve to stay.’ We will commit ourselves completely, day and night, so that every household in this country has drinking water and water for washing, because this is what distinguishes our civilization from the Middle Ages, from the time before the war when there was no state, no nothing; this is what separates civilization from a stateless people, where we had to find a stream just to wet our lips…’

Rama, 2021  

‘Thanks to a 40% increase in the water budget, supported not only by the state budget but also by the German, French, and Swiss governments, we will finally ensure that 100% of the urban areas in the 61 municipalities will have 24-hour drinking water. Water will no longer be used as a tool for electoral campaigns or political confrontations.’

Rama, 2025

‘Now listen, you’ve brought up a topic I really enjoy. In 2025, we are discussing a lot of things, and if you don’t like us talking about water, I’ll remind you that this is not solely our responsibility. Back in 2013, when we came into power, Albania had 24-hour water in just 4 areas. Four areas! Today, we have 43 urban areas and 98 rural areas with 24-hour water. There are, of course, still regions where the water supply needs to be expanded…’

Erion Veliaj’s Statements Over the Years

In 2015, some areas in Tirana still lack water. What did the former Mayor do when he left office? Did he bring water to the municipality?! Tirana was without water, Bërzhita was without water…

After 20 years of neglected investments, I am confident that within 5 years, Tirana will have 24-hour water.

If anyone is worried about the 20 LEK increase in the water bill, just close the tap for 10 seconds. By saving 10 seconds of water each day, you won’t even notice the price difference, but with the price as if we were in Bathore, we will have water as if we were in Korça.

Our ambition is that within five years from the start of these investments, we will have 24-hour water in Tirana

Within 5 years, we will have 24-hour water in Tirana, not just with words, but with all these investments.

We’ve entered 2019, which is the first year of our five-year plan for 24-hour water in Tirana, so by 2024, we should have 24-hour water

The countdown begins with our promise: Tirana will have 24-hour water.

We have guidelines for removing water tanks from rooftops. It’s an enormous weight on the roofs… We should not be those who don’t learn from history but those who learn from history.

The good news for citizens is that we’re starting the last major investment so that not only 70% of Tirana will have 24-hour water, but 100% of Tirana will be supplied with water.

As the campaign approaches, the level of populism also rises. We were all waiting for serious ideas on how the city’s affairs could go better. I understand that many of them cannot compare with Tirana, which had only 10% water when it was only 1/29 of the territory. Of course, you can’t compare it to the Tirana of today, which has 65% 24-hour water and is 29 times larger.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here