Govt, opposition trade accusations on concessions

TIRANA, September 1 – Economy Minister Dritan Prifti has called on the opposition Socialist Party to stop attacks on hydropower plants given under concession contracts warning that recent accusations by the biggest opposition party were driving foreign investors and banks away.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Prifti said the attacks on concession contracts were causing big damage to the country’s economy.
“The concessionaires are worried because banks are withdrawing from their support to concessions, as are investor companies funding their implementation.”
Prifti’s comments came after continuous attacks by the Socialist Party which accuses government of favouring family-related persons to majority deputies in granting concession contracts. The Socialist Party has accused Democratic Party deputy Albana Vokshi and Integration Minister Majlinda Bregu of using their influence to grant hydropower concession contracts to Vokshi’s partner and Bregu’s brother-in-law.