Land is being taken for photovoltaic parks/ Tensions in the Bulqiza Municipal Council, residents against Mayor Mjeshtri's project

2026-04-08 14:20:22Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Land is being taken for photovoltaic parks/ Tensions in the Bulqiza Municipal
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The Bulqiza Municipal Council meeting, where the use of forest and pasture lands for the construction of photovoltaic plants was discussed, was accompanied by strong tensions.

Residents of Gjorica e Poshtme openly opposed the projects, warning of serious consequences for their livelihoods and refusing to leave the hall during the meeting.

According to residents, these initiatives pose a direct threat to pastures and agricultural activities, on which many families in the area depend economically.

They emphasized that the loss of common areas would bring serious social and economic consequences, while accusing local institutions of a lack of prior consultation with the community.

The Bulqiza Municipality, headed by Mayor Festime Mjeshtri, has provided over 100 hectares of land for energy projects and it is expected that this process will continue with other areas.

In this context, the project for the photovoltaic park in Gjorica, approved in 2024 for about 42 hectares of land, has been accompanied by political debates and accusations of lack of transparency, after the transfer of ownership to the company of businessman Marin Gjonaj, an energy broker and close to former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku and the mayor of Bulqiza Festime Mjeshtri.

Residents express concerns about land acquisition and possible political connections with senior figures in local and central government, while warning of continued opposition and protests in defense of their properties and livelihoods.


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