Since the first rains, the Llogara Tunnel has begun to leak water, endangering the lives of travelers.
Llogara Tunnel Scandal and Budget Loss
The tunnel’s construction has cost the public budget almost 50 million euros, and the poor quality of the work is just the most recent incident in this massive scandal.
Along with allegations of bogus invoice increases that have strained the state budget, the spotlight has also been on the reimbursement and crediting of VAT for this public service and the partiality of a Turkish business that has not really completed any work in the tunnel, according to inquiries.
SPAK Investigation and Tax Violations
SPAK’s thorough investigation into the 190 million euro scandal has uncovered grave infractions that affect not only political figures but also the General Directorate of Taxation. According to the data, the taxes recognized the right to credit VAT for products and services used in the tunnel’s construction while also allowing the construction firm to function for around three years without proper legal authorization.
Building companies may only credit VAT after obtaining a building permit and registering the project with the tax office, according to the Value Added Tax Law.
Construction Permit Delay
The construction permit for the Llogara tunnel did not become operative until May 2025, when the facility was about to be inaugurated and the work was finished. The General Directorate of Taxation is legally responsible for overseeing the company’s operations. According to sources, this infraction is directly the fault of previous General Director Ceno Klosi and his replacement from July 2024, Elidjana Çelaj. In addition to permitting the tunnel’s construction without a permission, the Klosi-Çelaj pair neglected to confirm that other Albanian enterprises, rather than the winning company of the contract, really constructed the tunnel.
The Klosi-Çelaj duo’s position highlights the tax administration’s use of double standards. On the one hand, taxes have levied penalties on private corporations even beyond legal deadlines, while they have not exercised control over enterprises engaged in public works projects funded by public funds.
Prestige Resort Case Example
An example of this is the “Prestige Resort” case, in which a 4 million euro fine was issued three years after the building collapsed, after all legal deadlines, with procedural infractions, and without stopping the proceedings despite the court battles. The misappropriation of public monies and citizen trust continues to be a problem that calls for complete openness, a thorough investigation, and criminal penalties for those who break the law.
🚨 Llogara Tunnel Construction Scandal
- Budget Loss: ~50 million euros
- Permit Issues: Construction allowed without legal permit until May 2025
- VAT Violation: Credit approved before legal authorization
- Involved Parties: Klosi & Çelaj, Turkish company, other Albanian companies
- Risk: Tunnel leakage endangering travelers
⚠️ Public Safety & Tax Oversight
- Double Standards: Private firms fined, public works unchecked
- Accountability: Full transparency and criminal responsibility required
- Public Funds: Misused without proper verification
- Citizen Risk: Life-threatening tunnel leaks
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Llogara tunnel’s length?
The tunnel is six kilometers long and has lay-by niches with cross passageways every 500 meters in addition to a main tube that supports two-way traffic with one lane each direction. A 6-kilometer parallel emergency escape tunnel with the same cross-section as the main tube is also part of the project.
2) Is it worthwhile to purchase the Llogara Pass?
One of the most well-known locations in Albania is the Llogara Pass, which offers one of the most breathtaking drives in all of Europe. It should take three hours to travel the seaside route from Vlorë to Saranda while admiring the Llogara Pass, but there is plenty of time to stop and snap tons of pictures.
3) What is the longest tunnel in Asia?
The Zojila Tunnel, a high-altitude highway tunnel in India that will cover around 13.15 km and offer all-weather access between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, is the longest tunnel in Asia currently under development. Although Zojila is the longest high-altitude highway tunnel in Asia, there are other lengthy tunnels, such as Uzbekistan’s Kamchiq Tunnel (19.2 km) for rail and China’s Tianshan Shengli Tunnel (22.13 km) for road traffic.
4) What is the elevation of the Llogara Pass?
The Llogara Pass, which is 1,027 meters (3,369 feet) high, offers a breathtaking view of the Albanian Riviera and a number of sea islands.
5) Is the narrative of The Tunnel 2019 real?
The movie chronicles what occurs after a tanker truck collides and catches fire in a tunnel, and it is based on a real-life occurrence. A snowstorm outside makes it difficult for first responders to reach the area, trapping families and visitors.
6) Is it hard to drive in Albania?
Unless you are a competent driver, I do not recommend driving in Albania. It is a difficult nation to drive in, as you will see from my advice and anecdotes below.
Conclusion
The Llogara Tunnel scandal exposes severe corruption, poor monitoring, and poor management in Albanian public construction. at addition to costing the state almost €50 million, poor building quality and permission and tax infractions put individuals’ lives at jeopardy.
The case highlights structural flaws in the General Directorate of Taxation, whereby private companies were severely penalized but public-funded enterprises were able to evade legal regulations due to double standards. To rebuild public confidence and guarantee that infrastructure projects are safe, lawful, and effectively managed, complete openness, thorough investigations, and accountability are crucial.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
