Chief State Inspector, Dashnor Sula, spoke in the “Albania Live” studio about food safety, fuel controls, problems with inspectors, and communications with Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Focusing on imported meat, Sula said that a phenomenon has been observed where meat from Latin American countries was passing through Kosovo and then returning to Albania.
“Meat coming from Latin American countries to Albania has a 15% tax, while Kosovo has had 0. It was going towards Kosovo and returning as meat from Kosovo, while it was being sold on the Albanian market,” said Sula.
He stated that due to this issue, controls at customs points have been increased and inspectors who, according to him, were collaborating or had relations with certain entities have been removed. Sula also announced that on September 3, meat imported from Brazil was banned due to the risk.
The Chief Inspector also spoke about corn with aflatoxin, stating that nine inspectors have been dismissed after cases were found at the Hani i Hoti customs point.
Regarding fuels, Sula said that the purpose of inspections is not to punish businesses for minor violations, but that measures should be immediate when the public interest is affected.
“We react immediately: blocking the gas station, taking samples, suspending the activity, up to revoking the license,” he declared.
Sula also admitted that the integrity of the inspection body is not at the right level, saying that there are inspectors who favor certain entities. He announced that by March 2027, the aim is to digitalize the system, where entities will be selected for control according to the level of risk.
In the studio, Sula also spoke about his relationship with Prime Minister Edi Rama, stating that in six months in office there has been “zero interference” from him to favor any subject.
He said that communication between them is almost daily and that Rama also conveys the problems he receives from citizens during the night.
“My luck as chief inspector is that I have extraordinary support from Prime Minister Edi Rama,” he said.
Dashnor Sula: It is known how things work in Albania, pressures, etc. 1 week ago we had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Albania and he was concrete. I addressed him directly: 6 months in office I have had 0 intervention from the Prime Minister of Albania to favor any subject, 0. I did the same thing with the regional chief inspectors down there.
So, this is the standard that needs to be established, that the moment the Prime Minister starts interfering with the Inspector General, the Inspector General interferes with the central chief inspector, the central chief inspector with the regional chief inspectors, the regional chief inspectors with the inspectors, the system breaks down, it is destroyed.
Sidorela Gjoni: Did you previously think that Rama controlled everything?
Dashnor Sula: No, I didn’t say that, I don’t say that and I don’t know.
Sidorela Gjoni: Forward, forward.
Dashnor Sula: I absolutely don’t know and I have the conviction. Why? Why don’t you do it with me?
Sidorela Gjoni: Does this surprise you?
Dashnor Sula: No, it doesn’t surprise me. It was one of the reasons why I accepted the challenge that the Prime Minister of Albania addressed to me, that I left the suit of a politician and put on the suit of a civil servant. I made it clear to the Prime Minister that I and my collaborators will have to work as they should, in respect of the law and to be correct, I will have to have independence according to the law.
And I’m telling you that I have almost daily communication and it’s not that I’m one of those who let you know the messages of the Prime Minister, but the support he has given me. I’m also telling you that in cases where the Prime Minister of Albania is complained to, normally he has information about all things. He immediately, not spending half an hour, an hour, reacts and waits for an answer on how the problem has been solved and this is very positive.
Sidorela Gjoni: It’s invested, you mean?
Dashnor Sula: Totally, I’m telling you. Believe me, it’s not shameful to say that I was called while holding the phone to my ear. He writes at 12 o’clock in the morning, 1 o’clock in the morning, about the problems that citizens face and I highly appreciate that. I also find the reaction to citizens to be immediate and we provide a solution to every problem that citizens have. So, transparency is very important.
Sidorela Gjoni: Are you nostalgic for your time as a politician, as an MP?
Dashnor Sula: Now, 20 years in politics, I was in office from 2005 to 2025 and I don’t claim that I have done “wow” in politics, but I think that I have laid 2 bricks, starting from my personality, my integrity. It is not to brag, but I am one of the politicians who has not been rumored for 20 years for corrupt affairs, yes 0. And I have also said this to the Prime Minister of Albania, I am declaring this to all Albanian citizens: if a relative of mine, if a person of mine, whoever it may be, abuses me, not to prove it to me, I have told the Prime Minister, but to suspect me or my close associates, not to leave, but to throw away the keys and leave. This is the standard that we must set, otherwise we will not increase trust in citizens.