Kruja Municipality Gets Japanese Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Aid

TIRANA – Kruja Municipality has received a grant of 72,800 Euros from the Government of Japan to enhance its post-earthquake recovery and reconstruction capacity, said a press release issued by the Japanese Embassy in Tirana which announced that Ambassador Makoto Ito and Artur Bushi, Mayor of Kruja, have signed an agreement.
In Kruja, northeastern Albania, there are many affected buildings and houses by the earthquake of 26 November of the last year which need to be demolished and reconstructed from scratch. “Through this grant Kruja Municipality will be able to buy two backhoe loaders that will be used to remove building debris and to clean up the sites where there will be demolition works,” said the press release. Municipality can use these backhoe loaders for other tasks as well such as construction, light transportation of building materials, digging holes/excavation, landscaping, breaking asphalt, and paving roads.
This is the third grant Japan allocates to Kruja within a 6-month period. The municipality received the first GGP grant from Japan in September last year, for purchasing a fire truck for the Fire and Rescue Service of Kruja. Also, the Regional Hospital of Kruja “Dr. Stefan Gjoni” has received a similar grant for the provision of an ambulance and emergency medical equipment last month.
According to Embassy’s statement, during the signing ceremony, Mayor Bushi expressed his gratitude to Japan and Ambassador Ito for their continued support, and underlined the importance of this grant for the Municipality and for the citizens of Kruja. On the other hand, Ambassador Ito wished for Kruja’s quick recovery from the earthquake./argumentum.al