The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, made a stopover in Saranda, accompanied by the Mayor of Saranda, Oltion Çaçi, after a tour of the coast, where she emphasised that the fight is more difficult this season due to the high influx of tourists, so she called for the commitment of the municipal police and all local government structures 24 hours a day to ensure the smooth running of the summer season.
“We are doing a lot of preparatory work with the National Coastal Agency and the municipality of Saranda to organise the entire coastal season, which is also the most difficult part of the year. I think the time has come for the Municipal Police to play its role in the preservation of the environment by monitoring, controlling and punishing. We will not succeed if we do not have everyone’s cooperation, but also if we do not take strict measures. There is no tolerance here, because it is our face, it is the face of Albania,” said Kumbaro.
The mayor of Sarandë, Oltion Çaçi, said that this season, with higher influxes than in previous years, there should be more measures not only for cleanliness, but also for mobility in the city.
“The Municipal Police have just signed an agreement with the Ministry of the Interior to get the power to issue fines, especially for mobility in the city. The numbers are 30% higher this year, which means 30% more litter 30% more tools, so we are forced to take action”.
Kumbaro added that this year the challenge with waste and inert materials will be greater throughout the country. “It is our challenge throughout Albania. We have been saying for three years that Albania is getting cleaner every day, but I believe we will face the biggest challenge because of the influx of tourists. We welcomed 10.1 million tourists last year and we are in a battle with every bin, every bag and especially with inert waste”.
Meanwhile, the National Coastal Agency will assist the municipality of Saranda with waste management during the peak season, from 15 June to 15 September, doubling Saranda’s cleaning capacity.