Works on Road A, which connects Veternik with Road B, are expected to be completed in September, something that will significantly ease traffic in the capital. This was stated by the Mayor of Prishtina, Përparim Rama, in an interview for KosovaPress, where he spoke about the projects during his mandate and the challenges he has faced.
Rama said that the “George Bush” boulevard will be completed and will serve the citizens of the capital. He also promised that, if he wins a second mandate, he will expand full-day classes to all schools in Prishtina.
The mayor considers that the transformation of “Kurrizi” – the platform that connects the Youth Palace with the “Arbëria” neighborhood – the many parks, as well as the works on Road A, have all contributed to transforming the capital. He believes that despite difficulties, works on Road A will be completed by September of this year.
“The ‘Kurrizi’ project had not happened for 45 years. There, we transformed a phenomenal space not only in terms of infrastructure but also in art and culture. Now, it is planned to host a mobile market on weekends. Other major projects, like the platform connecting the Youth Palace with Arbëria, are also happening despite attempts to block them, but we don’t stop, because the Ministry of Culture has no legal grounds. This government is working illegally against Prishtina and its citizens. We have created numerous parks across all parts of the city… Also, other major projects such as ‘Xhim Xhema’ Street and Road A, now connecting to Road B, improve citizens’ lives and help traffic flow. Road A is now nearing completion – a major project that had to be defended three times in court. We lost a year because of government lawsuits against a project that is clearly good for the city. There was no reason for it to be blocked… The ‘Xhim Xhema’ project and the major Road A project will be completed during September and will connect Veternik with ‘Xhim Xhema’ Street and Road B, creating a new artery that will significantly ease traffic in the capital,” Rama said.
The Smart City project is also considered another important step in addressing traffic issues in Prishtina.
“Now we also have the smart city, the hardware infrastructure, where we have connected the traffic lights. We now have a ‘green wave,’ so for example, if a green light opens at one point, traffic continues without stopping, because the lights are interconnected through a smart system,” he explained.
The failure to constitute the new Assembly of Kosovo has left Prishtina without a budget, as the vote on the municipal budget was delayed and not adopted before the approval of the state budget.
The Mayor of Prishtina, also the LDK candidate for a second mandate, blames the central level for the situation, describing the blocking of the budget as unlawful. According to him, despite obstacles from central government, the work of transforming the capital continues.
“You know that last year, despite blockades and sabotage from the central level, we achieved a record budget execution – the highest in history – and the results can be seen in the city in all sectors. Unfortunately, political opponents exploited this to totally block the budget, something unlawful and against the interests of Prishtina’s citizens. Those who claim they care about the capital are not cooperative but are blockers. Still, we managed to push processes forward. We know it’s an election year, and they’re doing everything to prevent us from working. But we continue… We don’t give up in the face of blockades, blackmail, and sabotage – we continue the transformation, because we know what the city needs,” he said.
Regarding works on “George Bush” Boulevard, the mayor said this project will be carried out despite the blockades attempted by the Ministry of Culture.
“The Ministry of Culture – specifically this so-called minister who pretends to care about Prishtina – has blocked Prishtina illegally for four years. Of course, we will pursue all legal avenues. Our project will not stop. You have seen that we continued works on the George Bush Boulevard, one of the most monumental projects of the capital, creating wonderful public spaces for children, youth, businesses, and the elderly. It is a major project that will certainly continue and be completed,” said Rama.
This year, the capital has often faced waste management issues. On this, Rama said they have supported the “Pastrimi” company, but the problem lies not with workers but with its management.
“We have offered support to ‘Pastrimi’. It needs restructuring and improvements, but not within the existing structure, because the current management has made it impossible to solve the waste issue. What we did was bring in the private sector and create healthy competition between ‘Pastrimi’ and private operators, and immediately the city started being cleaned… We gave ‘Pastrimi’ full authority, we gave them funds, yet the capital is not cleaned. The workers are not to blame – the management is. And in my second mandate, this management will be out,” he said.
The mayor also highlighted full-day classes as an important project, which he believes has helped family economies, while also noting the positive impact of unified urban transport tickets across public and private sectors.
The current mayor believes citizens will give him their vote for a second mandate.
“I hope all candidates will have a fair competition, a competition of ideas, and one where good ideas for the capital emerge, and the best candidate wins. Citizens should always choose the most professional, most capable person – someone who knows, cares, has professionalism, courage, and pushes processes forward,” he said.
Rama added that a second mandate would allow him to further transform the capital.
“Everything I said I would do, I am doing. We earned citizens’ trust. They have seen that we don’t just talk philosophy or nonsense – what we say, we do, and we finish it professionally in the best way possible… Four years ago, I said I need eight years to transform the capital. Despite blockades, we will complete all the projects promised, and add new ones, such as the Olympic Village. In the framework of the 2030 Mediterranean Games, we need to increase the capacity with sports infrastructure. For the Olympic Village in Bernica, we already have the master plan, projects, contracts, and a managing body in place – and we’re moving forward… We will have full-day classes in all schools, and now smart city infrastructure is already part of our capital,” he said.
In his first mandate, Rama had also planned the construction of a city hospital, but the project and the allocated land were blocked by the central government.
During these four years, stray dogs have also been a major issue. The municipality has now built a shelter and started subsidizing citizens who want to adopt them. /KosovaPress/
