
The news published in recent days that the Benja Thermal Baths have been destroyed and concreted over brought another denial from Prime Minister Edi Rama, who this Sunday published photos from the first settlement of the area, carried out 10 years ago.
"This is what the ancient walls of Benja looked like. Ten years ago, with the possibilities that existed, the first systematization of Benja Thermal Waters was carried out, when as you can see, the concrete wall was restored - the previous one had collapsed like nothing else - and was covered with stones.
"So not only have the antique walls not been removed from the Benja baths, but the same craftsman you see at the helm of the work 10 years ago has kindly stood by the work, along with several stone craftsmen, for the new project that has reborn this tourist destination with a whole new quality," Rama writes.
In his post, he also speaks about the numerous allegations that have circulated in the media, which according to him have come from the remnants of politics and those united by the instinct of revenge against Albania.
"I have repeatedly focused on this specific case yesterday and today, because it clearly shows why the crust of political and social debris on the surface of the clean water of protest is a mass gathered together by the instinct of revenge against the Albania that has left behind them, failures whose vision is hatred, whose ideas are lies, and whose projects are themselves," Rama writes.
The post comes in the wake of a series of clarifications that the Prime Minister has undertaken regarding this project.
The interventions in the spa area are part of the project “Bënja – International Tourist Destination”, financed by the Albanian Development Fund. According to the tender documentation, the project’s limit fund was 209.7 million lekë, while the contract was awarded to the company “Ergi” SHPK for around 162.7 million lekë excluding VAT.
The Benja Thermal Baths, located about 13 kilometers from the city of Përmet, are one of the most popular natural and curative destinations in Albania. The redevelopment project foresees new access roads, service facilities and recreational spaces for visitors.