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From the unfinished dream of 'Amantia' to the reality of Vlora: Why Labëria needs civilization, not isolation

2026-08-04 20:37:42Pikëpamje SHKRUAR NGA DR. GJERGJI HABILAJ
View from the Vlora river

Beyond nostalgia, towards functional reality

To build a convincing and well-argued public statement in favor of the merger (or reorganization/merger) of the Municipality of Selenica with a neighboring municipality (such as the Municipality of Vlora), we must rely on economic, administrative, social and demographic arguments.

Debates on the new administrative division are often accompanied by emotional voices or provincial nostalgia that serve the “status quo” more than the citizen. When we talk about the fate of the Selenica area, the villages of the Vlorë River (Vërmik, Smokthinë, Bolenë, Brataj, Vajzë, Sevaster-Shkozë) down to Kotë, Drashovicë, Peshkëpi – Vllahine - Kocul and others, the question we must ask is simple:

Does this current division serve the development of people, the growth of elements of civilization, or does it hold them hostage to bureaucracy and distance?

The answer requires courage and a pragmatic approach.

Contrast with the status quo: Keeping these villages of the Selenica municipality connected to a peripheral municipality with limited budgets like Selenica not only does not add any new element of civilization, but risks leaving them in oblivion.

An Early Unfinished Vision: On the Dream of "Amantia".

This need to bring the area closer to the pulse of the city and to increase the elements of civilization is not a new idea. I remember that before the 80s, a “leader” of the time visited our area. A man with long experience in the management of Labëria, once the chairman of a cooperative, presented him with a far-sighted vision: “Labëria as one of the contributors for centuries to the Albanian Nation needs to be given another breath, another vision, not leaving it only to the “kërraba” and life among the mountains of Labëria needs many elements of civilization. How can we help Labëria, how can we bring people closer to the city and add elements of civilization?

The proposal was bold: to turn Kota into a developed city, giving it the historical name "Amantia".

The leader listened attentively, appreciated it and after a while told him that they were working on this project. Unfortunately, the untimely death of that leader caused the project to be shelved. Today, as someone who has spent years leading this area and knows every inch of it, I understand that time has once again brought this need before us, not simply as a desire, but as a functional necessity to bring Labëria as close as possible to civilization.

The absurdity of distances and the natural orientation towards Vlora

Today, the revolts raised against the merger of the Municipality of Selenica are fueled by mistaken perceptions, but the geographical and logistical reality speaks clearly:

* A resident from Vërmik, Smokthinë, Bolenë, Brataj, Vajzë, Sevastershkoze) down to Kotë, Drashovicë, Peshkëpi – Vllahine – Kocul reaches the Kotë junction in about 10 minutes and from Kotë to Vlora it takes another 10 minutes.

* According to the current division, instead of continuing from Kota towards Vlora for 10 minutes, the resident is forced to make an additional journey of over an hour to get to Selenica.

Geography has spoken for itself: this entire space has 100% connections with Vlora and almost zero with Selenica.

Economic and Social Dimension: Where does the pulse of daily life beat?

If we look closely at the economic and social reality of the inhabitants of these villages, we see that Vlora is their only vital center:

 * Business and Trade: 100% of the businesses and trade connections of these areas are oriented towards Vlora. No economic connections or interests are directed towards Selenica.

 * Education and Health: All specialized health services and children's education are carried out in Vlora.

* Employment: The vast majority of families have their members employed in Vlora, and none in Selenica.

 * All friendships in this area of ??Labëria are oriented towards Vlora and very few are not even oriented towards Selenica.

 * Time Efficiency (Double Effect): When a resident comes to Vlora to see a relative in the hospital, to accompany a child to school, or for a health issue, he takes advantage of the opportunity to meet friends or perform a service at the Municipality. If he had the same problem in Selenica, he would have to leave specifically, losing an entire day of work and time. The connection with Vlora saves him time and gives him the opportunity for integrated solutions.

* Conclusion: Geography and modern infrastructure naturally orient these villages towards Vlora as the center of economic, health and educational gravity. The administrative connection should adapt to the real movement of people and not outdated bureaucratic boundaries.

Elements of civilization and tourism development

The extraordinary work done in recent years in the restructuring of urban centers and the transformation of urban centers has created more conditions for civilization. The transformation of Vlora and all of Albania from Peshkopia, Kukës, Tropoja, Shkodra, Korça, Gjirokastra, Elbasan, Lushnja and others in recent years, the great work done in urban restructuring, improving infrastructure, services and the standard of living in the center of the city, of course, also in Vlora, has created a strong pole of civilization.

Keeping these villages connected to a peripheral municipality like Selenica does not add any element of civilization, on the contrary. Moreover, the great tourist resources of the Vlora River are naturally connected to the city of Vlora and its coast, creating a powerful economic development corridor for the residents of the area.

Conclusion: Let's leave uncertainties behind, let's look towards development

Reforms are not made to serve the old bureaucracy, but the real interest of the citizen. It is time to end isolation and implement that logic that once began as a dream of the visionary people of Labëria: real rapprochement with the city, fast services and equal opportunities for development.

Solution through efficiency: Centralizing administration and optimizing funds under a stronger municipality (Vlora) guarantees faster services, less bureaucracy, and development projects that directly affect agriculture, mountain tourism (Vlora River), and rural infrastructure.

"The merger of the Municipality of Selenica is not a loss of local identity, but an economic necessity to end the mismatch of public funds with the growing needs for investment and to provide citizens with real services. When the administration consumes the budget more than it invests in the community, territorial reorganization is the only way forward for development." This must be understood once and for all, it has nothing to do with good or bad governance, but has to do with the objective reality that exists and we described it above.

*Dr. Gjergji Habilaj, former leader in that area, today a lawyer


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