Balla: Minister Pollo, 1.2 million EUR bribe

20/10/2011 00:00

The Socialist MP, Taulant Balla, accused the Minister of
Technology Innovation and Communication, Genc Pollo, of having taken a 1.2
million EUR bribe for giving licenses for optic fibers in Albania.

Balla’s declaration was made during the interpellation with Pollo, while the Minister declared that there will be an international competition for the licenses.

Pollo: For reaching this quality and lower prices, we have decided to open a concessionary race, which will be held in the middle of the next month. We will invite international and Albanian companies. There are no national limitations, but very clear financial requests. The Companies must have experience, must have made similar works around the world, and also a good financial health, in order to not allow ghost companies. The conditions are very clear and we have consulted experts. We want an international company with similar experiences and financially stable, for not leaving the work in the middle.

Balla: This is where the war between the Ministers Pollo and Olldashi starts. Initially they found a company for which they both agreed and assigned the criteria. Another Minister had given the license for the optic fibers. We all travel around Albania and can see that roads are opened, and there are optic fibers in there. Mr. Pollo is giving a license that would cost 12.5 million EUR if given through the tenders. Mr. Pollo is giving it for free. If you give for free an investment of 12.5 million EUR, it shows that you have your percentage. This government takes at least 10%, and Mr. Pollo is justifying the 1.2 EUR taken for this tender. The Minister has given for free a project of 12.5 million EUR, to a company he preferred.

Pollo: However, I would prefer to answer as Socrates did, the philosopher of the ancient Greece. When a dog bit his leg, he told his friends that he couldn’t respond him in the same way.

Balla: I want to say that this strategic sector that is being given through personal connections and personal benefits of this Minister could create problems regarding national security. One day, the MPs, Ministries and other state institutions will pass their data through a network that is not administered by an Albanian company or an Albanian institution. It will be registered by a company, the shares of which are bought by a country that is not a NATO member and not friendly at all with Albania. This is the big truth regarding this sector.

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