Author: Aurora Shpataj
In June three years ago, the mayor Erion Veliaj promised that the Bicycle Academy would be opened, not only as an entertainment opportunity for children, but more as a continuation of the tradition of using two-wheelers. After more than 3 years, it is expected that this prediction will come true during this year, and yet at a high cost. According to experts, the academy will have an impact on the environment, but also on the monetary value.
But the 73 million lek fund that will serve for the construction of the two-wheeler academy, according to economic expert Rezart Prifti, is negligible. Comparing it to other cultural events in the municipality, the expert adds to Sinjalizo: “ Do you need 73 million lek with or without VAT, okay, let's throw 1 million euros. I don't care about the amount at all, because in these riots of robbery that are happening in this country, 73 million lek is nothing. It's a Noizy concert that can be finished in one weekend . ”- the expert parallels.
However, the area where the next academy will be installed has been cordoned off. It used to be a park that was used by adults for their children and from the age of three to pass the time.
However, the expert Prifti is convinced that behind the name "academy" lies a deceptive trick.
“ The Bicycle Academy is an invention that has to do with deceptive creativity. However, I give it all to the one who invented it. Is the Bicycle Academy needed? Yes, it is needed. What the hell is it needed for? Anyone who has grown up and learned to ride a bike knows very well how to learn that job. You don't need to have a category A or B bicycle license, or a boat license, nothing. But for a moment, let's say that the Bicycle Academy according to their invention is needed .”
With questions about why "Sheshi Italia" was chosen as the location, how much was the investment (monetary value) of the park that was built in that location that has now been demolished to build the Bicycle Academy, "Sinjalizo" requested information from the Municipality of Tirana. The answer is related to the Academy's mission to teach two-wheel drive.
" The Bicycle School for the age group 7-19 is defined as a basic education oriented school (a school oriented towards teaching cycling)," Sinjalizo was told. However, the municipality did not respond to the reasons for choosing the base where the academy will function.
" The construction site is bordered on the north side by "Dervish Hima" street and on the east side by "Sheh Ahmed Pazari" street. While on the south side it is bordered by the "Ambassador 3" complex and on the west side by the "Air Albania" stadium. The area of the construction site is 9977 m2 " - official details are given to "Sinjalizo".
At this point, the priest expert is direct and has his doubts.
" There is nothing unintentional in this decision-making, all parties are rational. But the question is whether they are rational or not. This is the same phenomenon of destroying green space as is happening with the lake. Have you noticed that Tirana has an artificial lake and there are old people, young people, senior citizens, couples running, going for a walk. But have you noticed how they do the inaugurations? The children's park, benches, gyms, all by the lake were inaugurated. As soon as the word inauguration is heard, a large concrete slab is laid by the lake. The same thing is with the academy, because later the cycling academy will be built there, it will not stay long, " predicts Prifti.
We lost the park.
Drita, the mother of two boys, is still holding the cordon of the area and transforming it into another project. The reason is related to the children that the woman accompanied every time she went out into the space below the apartment.
" Oh, it was a big mistake, a terrible one I would say. There was a park here, like a field where I would take the boys, Ron and Red, to play. They had a good time playing, which was much better than being on the phone," the resident says.
The woman insists on the Albanian way of learning to ride a bicycle, that of playing and acquiring the two-wheeler with the help of adults or friends.
" I think it's a waste of money. Roni, the oldest son who is 14 years old, has always ridden his bike here, so it wasn't necessary to tear it down to rebuild another academy ," concludes Drita, the mother of two sons, one 14 and the other 10 years old.
But, the expert insists that even the Bicycle Academy will not last long, not because of the lack of followers, but because of the behind-the-scenes and replacement with other plans.
" It has been the standard of malignancy here in Tirana that properties are taken and degraded for some time, since they are triggered by the fact that our society has a very short memory and degrades. And then this savior of the property comes out by making it commercial ," says Prifti.
To illustrate this charge, the Priest recalls the green spaces that are always in the minority, making the capital unlivable.
" Especially recently, a vital massacre has been committed. It was not done on an urban level, but on a vital level, it is a genocide that was committed in Tirana. When I say genocide, it is a problem that this kind of decision-making does not change for 100 years, there is nothing you can do and in this sense, should that green space be destroyed. I think not ."
Despite the pros and cons of the Academy, where the main promoter is the municipality, the amount of funding for the construction of the park, which has already been demolished, is considered a " secret" for the institution that created it.
" The investment in the park built at the current location of the Bicycle Academy has not been followed by the Public Works Investment Directorate ." - is the Municipality's response.
In the documents that "Sinjalizo" has, it is clear that the start of the works according to the minutes kept by the supervisor and the contractor of the works is the date 10.01.2023. However, the final deadline is the time within 10 months of this year, which is calculated to be in the month of November. The sources clarify that the fund is calculated at 73 million.
" With 73 million lekë I wouldn't build anything. I have a different principle, historically Albania has invested in mortar and bricks, if you've noticed the urban renaissance came out in the cities of the country and made squares, facades with 4-5 million lekë. So once these cities had people, now these cities have no people at all, but these cities have concrete now and they all have a big promenade there that costs zero lekë . "- concludes his expert comment.
This article was created based on input provided by individuals who have chosen to speak up. Share your story, empower others and be an agent for change. Visit the website: www.acqj.al/sinjalizo-dhe-ti/
