14 villages isolated for two weeks in Kolonjë, residents protest over damaged bridge

2025-11-27 12:10:00, Aktualitet CNA

14 villages isolated for two weeks in Kolonjë, residents protest over

Residents of several villages in the Kolonja area protested today in Qafzez, near the Baba Selim bridge, over the Osum River.

For almost two weeks, 14 villages have been isolated due to the severe damage that last week's rains and floods have caused to the bridge connecting them to the main road. According to residents, the situation has become alarming as there are also sick people waiting for help in the remote villages, while the lack of access is weighing down every aspect of their lives. One resident says that she has not been able to meet her daughter who attends school in Ersekë for 20 days, while she herself needs medical check-ups after an accident.

"I haven't seen my daughter for 20 days, I have her at school in Ersekë because the school is closed here. I also had an accident and I haven't had my foot checked in 20 days. They haven't taken any action, I call the mayor and he doesn't answer, he hangs up. Where is my 11-year-old daughter supposed to cross this bridge?"

Another protester recounts the difficulties in securing medicines and food, saying that the municipality is only there to get votes in the campaign.

"The broken bridge and road, where can we get medicine? We're going to be isolated for two weeks. 14 villages are isolated. These only come to us for elections, those two days, then we don't even look at them. Only the elderly are left in the villages. Vehicles can't pass, we can't even walk. Our children are left in Ersekë who are at school."

Residents say that the isolation has paralyzed livestock and household economy. The protest also raises concerns about the danger that the high level of the Osum River could bring, especially if the Kozel reservoir is opened.

"We are totally isolated. We have no shelter for our livestock, we have nowhere to bring them. We are isolated from the bridge, we have nowhere to put them. It is not possible to cross, and the road further on is being destroyed. No measures have been taken, nor will they be taken. They only come when they are looking for votes."

"We are in a big mess, there is no state here, nothing. The bridge has been broken for 2 weeks, there are sick people in the mountainous areas, there are 10-15 isolated villages. I am in a mess because I am outside and I am sitting like a dog and they don't even come to check on the condition of the house. The river is very dangerous, especially if the Kozel reservoir opens and floods the entire village. We feel endangered because if it bursts, nothing will be left here."

Residents are demanding immediate intervention from institutions and the reconstruction of the bridge as soon as possible, emphasizing that they feel abandoned and defenseless in a situation that is lasting much longer than they can cope with./ CNA