TIRANA, Albania – A public procurement procedure conducted by the Tirana District Council has sparked public debate after a construction consortium linked by ownership records to the son of Poliçan Mayor Adriatik Zotkaj was declared the winner of a major road rehabilitation contract, local media report.
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| Poliçan Mayor Adriatik Zotkaj seated at an official ceremony. Public scrutiny has mounted following a Tirana District Council tender award to a construction consortium linked to his son, Maliq Zotkaj. |
The winning bid submitted by the consortium “G & M CONSTRUCTION 07” sh.p.k. and “ASI-2A CO” sh.p.k. was valued at 69,890,293 lekë, or approximately 840 million old lekë including VAT.
Winning Offer Reached 95.74% of Maximum Tender Value
According to procurement data, the winning offer represented approximately 95.74% of the available tender ceiling.
Such a narrow difference between the winning bid and the maximum available fund often attracts attention in public procurement analysis because competitive procedures typically aim to achieve greater price efficiency.
However, the final assessment of whether a procurement procedure violated competition rules remains the responsibility of relevant oversight bodies and judicial institutions.
Company Ownership Raises Political Connection Questions
The controversy surrounding the tender has focused on the ownership structure of the winning company.
According to company registration information cited in public discussions, “G & M CONSTRUCTION 07” sh.p.k. is partly owned by Maliq Zotkaj, who is identified as the son of Adriatik Zotkaj, the Socialist Party mayor of Poliçan.
The connection has raised questions from critics over possible conflicts of interest and political influence in public procurement processes.
There has been no public finding from a court or competent authority confirming wrongdoing in relation to the tender.
Calls for Transparency in Public Procurement
The case has renewed broader discussions in Albania regarding transparency in state-funded projects, competition among companies, and the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms in public procurement.
Civil society groups and opposition figures have repeatedly called for greater scrutiny of contracts involving companies with links to politically exposed persons.
Authorities Expected to Clarify Procedure
The Tirana District Council and relevant procurement authorities have not announced any violation regarding the tender process.
Further clarification would depend on possible reviews by procurement oversight institutions or investigations by competent authorities.
The case adds to ongoing public debate in Albania over how infrastructure funds are distributed and whether public tenders provide equal opportunities for all economic operators.