' Saranda Tower ', a project that includes a structure with 32 floors above ground, 9 additional floors and 4 underground floors in the heart of the coastal city, has sparked discontent not only among residents but also among foreigners interested in buying an apartment in Saranda.
The 32-story building will be erected in the heart of the city, blocking the view of hundreds of residents and tourists, who will no longer see the sea, but only the shadow of the building.
Given this fact, ' Saranda Expats ', a group of expatriates living in or near Saranda, including those who are considering moving to the coastal city, have called for a protest against the construction of this tower.
Foreigners say that buildings should be up to 4 stories high and express the need for trees and wide avenues in the coastal city.
"I don't know if you've read the news, but a very large building is expected to be built in the center of Saranda. A 32-story building! Who would be interested in participating in a protest and not allowing the construction of large buildings in Saranda anymore? At least up to 4 floors! We urgently need trees, wide roads and parking lots in the country!", the foreigners express in the post.
Who is behind the 32-story tower?
The decision for the permit was given in May 2025 to the company “G&P” sh.pk. The decision states that it is a “residential and service complex with 9 and 32 floors above ground and 4 floors underground, located in the Municipality of Saranda”.
Behind it stands a name known to the public and to the prosecutors: Shefki Karamuça , former mayor of Vora and a long-time political figure of the SMI.
Karamuça held the position of mayor of Vora from 1999-2003 and later returned to power.
In 2015, he appeared again as an advisor to the LSI until 2019.
Suddenly, on August 25, 2020, after the resignation of the Vice President of Vora, Laureta Omeri, Karamuça takes over the position of Vice President.
A few days later, Hekuran Brahimaj also resigns and Karamuça declares himself mayor without passing through the Municipal Council.
The third mayor of Vora within a year, Shefki Karamuça, as soon as he took office, began to build his private building next to the Municipality, these buildings without permission.
At that time, the investigative show "Stop" documented two cases of abuse during the management of the consequences of the earthquake in Vora, directly related to the name of Shefki Karamuça:
-The case of building no. 8 in the "Demokracia" neighborhood, which was declared damaged without being so.
-The case of the seizure of 250 m² of land against businessman Hamid Mema, who had all the legal documentation./ Zëri