Kardhiq-Delvina road, Lot 7 tunnel tender (2019)
Status: Criminal proceedings reported; outcome not found in sources reviewed. A Top Channel headline says a tender was cancelled with the Procurement Agency still processing it (date unclear).
Summary
The 2019 Lot 7 tender for the Kardhiq-Delvina road was held in June 2019 with six bidders. Search summaries report that the Road Authority selected Ircop (the highest bid) and that Sulova offered EUR 18.9 million. The Road Authority rejected the commission's decision and accused contractor Gjoka Konstruksion of submitting false documentation about its earlier Rruga e Arbrit work; Gjoka denied this and filed a criminal complaint against then-director Sonila Qato. Qato resigned in September 2019.
Reporting says the Special Prosecution communicated an abuse-of-duty charge to Qato in December 2022 regarding this tender, and that a charge for violating tender equality was also raised. The Democratic Party and former MP Jorida Tabaku alleged a link to the Dh-Albania scheme; Prime Minister Rama dismissed the allegation. These party claims are not findings.
Key facts
- Lot 7 tender held June 2019 with six companies (search summary).
- Sulova offered EUR 18.9m (search summary; not verified against tender documents).
- Qato resigned in September 2019 after the dispute with Gjoka Konstruksion (Exit.al).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- The Gjoka-Road Authority dispute and Qato's resignation (Exit.al reporting).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationSelection of a higher-priced bidder (Ircop) over a lower bid (Sulova) (reporting; not adjudicated).
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationAbuse of duty by Sonila Qato (SPAK charge, reported December 2022).
- AllegationPolitical allegation of a corrupt scheme (Democratic Party).
Open questions (3)
- Final contract value and winner for Lot 7.
- Outcome of SPAK's abuse-of-duty case against Qato and the tender-equality charge.
- Whether the Kardhiq-Delvina tender is linked to the Llogara/Balluku dossier (not established in sources reviewed).
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Gjoka denied submitting false data (Exit.al).
Figures
Money trail →Sulova bid, Kardhiq-Delvina Lot 7 (2019)
€18,900,000
Incomplete figuretenderSource label: Under investigationStated definition: Bid value from a search summary; not verified against tender documents. Winning contract value not established. Incomplete.
Date: Jun 2019 · Payer: Albanian Road Authority · Payee: Sulova (bidder; not awarded per summary)
- Road Authority: Company Lied about Progress on Rruga e Arbrit (opens in a new tab)Exit.al · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Government
Kardhiq-Delvina Lot 7 tender held
Lot 7 tender held in June 2019 with six bidders (search summary); a dispute followed over the disqualification of Gjoka Konstruksion.
Government
Sonila Qato resigns from the Albanian Road Authority
Qato resigned in September 2019 after an exchange of accusations with Gjoka Konstruksion (search summary).
Connections
Abuse-of-duty charge (reported)
Evidence: Reporting says the Special Prosecution communicated an abuse-of-duty charge to Qato in December 2022.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 4 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 2 sources
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- not recorded
- Publisher
- A2 News
- Date
- not recorded
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 2 sources
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- not recorded
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- not recorded