Residents of the Shtiqën Administrative Unit, together with residents of the Nangë village of the Bicaj Administrative Unit, have protested today in front of the Kukës Municipality, demanding a solution to the lack of irrigation water. They say that they have been facing a lack of water for agricultural lands for days, while claiming that the water resources are being used to produce electricity by hydroelectric power plants.
"For 3 years now, Shtiqa has been drying up and burning due to the lack of irrigation water," says one of the protesters. According to the residents, the agreement stipulates that from May 15 to September 15, water should be guaranteed for the irrigation of agricultural lands. They demand that this agreement be implemented and that the water be returned to the irrigation canals.
"The contract that exists is not being implemented. The canal has water as much as you want. We came to show that what we have planted has remained empty," said another resident. The Shtiqën Canal covers an area of about 820 hectares of agricultural land. Currently, about 120 hectares are planted with corn, alfalfa and wheat. Residents say that the lack of water endangers the crops and income of families involved in agriculture. Protesters are demanding the intervention of institutions to resolve the situation and guarantee irrigation water throughout the agricultural season. They warn that protests will continue if their demands are not met.
