Mines, Gjiknuri: You cut funds

The mine safety project for mines that need conservation had a fund of 120 million ALL. It should have guaranteed safety in closed galleries that are not used for economic profit. 32 million of this fund goes to the personnel who would guard it 24\7.

But for the mines in which five men died today, were given only 5 million, according to the Minister of Energy, Damian Gjiknuri.

Damian Gjiknuri, Minister of Energy: Let’s start an investigation why the project was done. Why was it a priority for closing these mines, and who is responsible for not doing this? I will do this.

Ridvan Bode, Democratic Party Parliament Member : It is our duty to preserve mines in conservation. We pay 15 people to guard that mine because it is dangerous. This is shameful!

Damian Gjiknuri: Coming here and accusing the government when you have all the responsibility for sending only five from 120 million. Only a madman can try to put this responsibility to someone else.

While the Parliament Members discussed for several hours about the Korce elections and the opposition Parliament Members focused their accusations only for Korce, two other people died in Qukes, Librazhd, a mine given through concession by the Berisha government.

“I don’t hesitate to ask the government to investigate these mines which have been given through concession to ghost companies, and they have just one wheelbarrow and two shovels. All those who are responsible for the lack of safety should be brought before the law”, declared the Socialist Party Parliament Member, Taulant Balla.

“Albminiera” in financial difficulties

The public company “Albminiera”, which manages the territory of 33 mines scattered in several areas of the country, declared through a press release that they are facing financial difficulties.

According to the company, the situation is so difficult that they have been unable to pay the employees for months. This situation has been created since 2011 and later.

Regardless of the frequent requests made to the Ministry and the former Prime Minister Berisha by the end of 2012, the fund given by the government has been insufficient.

The company says that they have hired 33 people for guarding these 33 mines that are situated in four prefectures, while they needed 120 guards.

On the other hand, Albminiera is busy with the process of closing 224 mining works, for which they need 62.5 million ALL.

But since 2009, funds have been very low, regardless of the requests. According to the company, this financial situation has increased problems, has caused a paralyzing of the activity and has made it impossible for the wages of employees.

TOP Channel, 07.11.2013