TIRANA, April 14 – Frictions between Bankers Petroleum and the government have continued, as the government looks to hire an international law firm to audit its 25-year concession contract with the Canadian oil company.
The company has also come under fire by Socialist lawmakers, who say it has not paid its fair share of taxes, owing $700 million to the state.
Bankers has denied any wrongdoing, saying it is one of the largest taxpayers and investors in Albania.
The company’s operations came into spotlight after an April 1 gas explosion in Marinze village, which damaged tens of homes.
Bankers has said it will compensate all the damages to the residents.
Environmental activists told the local media the area has become uninhabitable.
A business association for foreign investors, FIAA, came out in support of Bankers. It said that there should be no unjust pressure on the country’s biggest foreign direct investor, which also employs some 2,000 people in Albania.
