Corruption and Land Title Disputes in Albania - Orikum (Vlora)
Author: freshpropertyblog
It is now getting embarrasing for Albania. It’s been nearly 20 years since the fall of communism, and STILL a lot of the country has unclear land property title, and major disputes continue to arise.
The first was Kakome Bay, near Saranda, where Club Med planned to manage a new luxury resort. For years, locals from a nearby village claimed ownership over the lands where the resort is to be constructed. Even though the court has ruled against them, and the “disruptive” leaders have been rounded up, the damage has already been done. Club Med decided to abandon their Albanian resort plans, and a local developer has since embraced the project, and the risks.
Now a similar dispute is arising…
This week as reported on Top Channel TV, a new dispute has arisen, in the seaside resort town of Orikum, near Vlora, on the Albanian Riviera. And this dispute unfortunately weighs heavy with government corruption.
Violent protests have taken place this week, over seafront land/ marshes, on which construction has just begun. The following issues have arisen:
- The involvement of Rahman Selmanllari, the close friend of Shkelzen Berisha (son of PM Berisha), is one of the land owners of the 3,000sqm site next to the beach, which he acquired in 2007.
- The area which was originally designated natural lagoon was not supposed to be constructed on, according to the locals. However the “new” Orikum masterplan shows the area packed with hotels/ resorts and apartment buildings, and who knows how high these new complexes will be?
- Who is the construction company, using the “government” police from Tirana, to protect their construction? Why are they clashing with local Vlora police?
The Socialist Party Deputy, Saimir Tahiri, has acused the government and its leader Sali Berisha, of profiting from corruption through land and properties on the Albanian coast, at the expense of ordinary citizens.
Clearly there is something terribly wrong with this situation. If this is true, can the government in Albania trade, sell and manipulate the land and the law for their own personal gain?
It seems a fresh force is needed to pull the current system in line, and I hope it comes sooner rather than later.
Foreign investment and luxury ecologically-friendly coastal development is desperately needed in Albania. However, foreign developers and resort companies will continue to avoid Albania like the plague until the outstanding land title issues are resolved.
But how long will this take? And who in Albania is responsible for sorting this?
To view the news on You Tube please click here.
Here is the “new” Orikum masterplan. What happened to all the “green” space? I guess you cannot make money on green space…
Posted in Albania Politics, Albania Real Estate and Property | 
Tags: Albania, Albanian Riviera, Berisha, construction, corruption, Government, Orikum, Property, Real Estate, Vlora
Thanks Fiona
your piece was very useful . I have seen the Top Channel pieces on Youtube and already seen the plan. I have property in Orikum and went along to the launch of the Urbanistic plan at the Paradise Hotel . I was horrified by the proposals to destroy all that green space and sprawl all along the coast. Whatever made Orikum special will be lost forever and I really doubt the local administration’s capacity to enforce these regs. The 2 stories will you can be become 7 in no time . The zoning is far too close to precious natural features such as the lagoon and the beach - even at regulatory 100metres. Strangely no one in the 50 strong gathering seemed to express and concern, as a visitor I kept my thought to myself but you can be sure that in a few years Orikum will be just like Durres , how sad ! But maybe this is what the community wants for those badly needed jobs,
Derek
Hi Derek
Thanks for sharing. I find it very sad that most Albanians stand by and not only allow, but actively participate in the destruction of parts of their beautiful country. Instead of protesting about useless votes, they should protest about protecting their natural beauty and heritage, creating more parks and public spaces.
Ultimately the government are the ones responsible, but also developers, investors and constructors could do their part as well.
We shall see, but while the mighty EURO rules the hearts and minds, the future for Orikum’s nature and beauty is not looking bright.