We once wrote that electrical energy is a resource that flows through wires. But water, too, is a resource that flows through pipes. Some people, however, do not value it enough, perhaps because of the mistaken notion that “it’s no catastrophe if a switch or faucet is left open for nothing.” Let us make our case with a few examples from Durrës. There has often been talk about the power factor. It is an important factor that directly affects the saving of electrical energy when it is high, or its waste when it is low. This factor fluctuates, sometimes falling, sometimes rising, in almost all enterprises, but remains below the established level. Is there no way to improve it? The shipyard, for example, since it has many welding machines, could improve its power factor by applying a scheme for automatically switching the welding machines on and off. Calculations and tests show that applying this scheme would make the scheme difficult to implement, and would bring annual savings of 4–6 thousand kWh from just one welding machine. And what about all of them? Add those in other enterprises, too, and we would certainly reach millions of kWh saved. Here are some other ways to achieve savings: avoiding idle or underloaded operation of electric motors, transformers, welding machines, etc. We have seen these shortcomings in several enterprises, but what is even more striking is how accustomed people have become to these conditions. Losses in the electricity networks of towns and villages are also large, both those included in the plan and those exceeding the plan. Annual losses at district level are greater than the thousand-unit plan for electricity consumption for ... ... is always ensured by building electrical substations or installing a transformer with a capacity suited to the corresponding load. What does Rakip Spahiu propose? The person in charge of the electrical substations in Durrës, Rakip Spahiu, tells us: “Another flaw that leads to waste is the fact that consumer enterprises have not been allocated network-loss allowances, especially enterprises with substantial consumption. Planning for losses in enterprises’ networks would make managers and specialists more accountable for reducing those losses. I have therefore suggested that enterprises which use more electricity because of network losses should pay for every excess amount; conversely, those that increase the power factor or reduce losses below the set level should be paid for the difference. Another point: in this way, electricity disconnections should not be carried out by the electricity and water-supply enterprise, but by the enterprises themselves when they exceed their allocation. The enterprise would then disconnect those departments and consumers that are less important; on the other hand, when they are all supplied through a single switch, even those within their quota are disconnected. In short, they should not all be lumped together, where subjectivity also plays a part.” The rubber factory uses 64,800 cubic metres of drinking water a month, and at the same time consumes 84,240 kWh. UMB uses 36,288 kWh a month. Many other enterprises follow them, “plundering” drinking water every month for industrial use. In this way they account for 65 percent of the total quantities of drinking water; this also includes its use in various construction projects, where drinking water flows away in rivers for mortar and concrete. Not to mention further waste caused by defective pipes and faucets left open day and night—worse still, some places do not even have faucets, as happens at the shipyard, NN Ports, etc. Specialists from the electricity and water-supply enterprise say that at enterprises where work is done only on the first shift, water runs away and is wasted in the afternoon. It is all very well that others are not concerned, but these specialists, too, should not be satisfied with merely pointing out the problem; they should take action. impression of coming to terms with this situation. The also substantial, both those planned and those exceeding the plan. Annual losses across the network are greater than the planned monthly electricity consumption for the entire network. And yet, instead of reducing these losses, last year nearly 3 million kWh above the planned figure were consumed in the network in the name of planning with reserves. This is how the millions wasted keep piling up, while at every turn one hears the refrain: “We should do more; our quotas are low.” Here are some other shortcomings which, if addressed, would provide ways and reserves for saving: lines and transformers are overloaded unnecessarily, and the increase in electricity consumers (consider only the construction of new apartment buildings) is not accompanied- scales and other problems. This approach is entirely feasible in several enterprises in the Shkozët area that are close to one another. For example, after water is used at the rubber factory, it could be conveyed through a pipe to the NN construction site for preparing mortar and concrete. No expenditure is required to do this; on the contrary, some old pipes lying around unused could be put to use for this purpose. These are important issues that require attention every hour and every day from everyone, because energy and water are resources belonging to us all and must be protected, used prudently and conserved by everyone.

No one knows exactly who gave that well-known street in Tirana the name “Barricade Street.” Today it scarcely exists, but the name remains, and is all the more historic for it. This fact came to mind these days when we learned of a decision by the Tirana Executive Committee concerning the naming of neighbourhoods. No fewer than 63 neighbourhoods are receiving new names—names rich in history and meaning, connected with the past and the present, and inspiring to us in our work and our lives. Under the old division, Tirana’s neighbourhoods numbered 10 and were designated by numbers. Numbers, in any case, say little. It is different, for example, to say that from now on neighbourhood No. 1 will be called “17 Nëntori.” It is a meaningful date: the day our beloved capital was liberated. Even this name brings to mind those 19 days of fighting to liberate the capital, the heroism of the partisans, and the comrades who fell. Neighbourhood No. 2, from now on, will be called “Zëri i popullit.” Today this neighbourhood has changed completely from what it was nearly 48 years ago, when the first issue of the newspaper was published in one of its single-storey houses, now a museum. Then there is neighbourhood No. 3, bearing a name that is a cornerstone in the nearly 500-year history of Albanian letters: “Gjon Buzuku.” It is impossible to list the names of all the capital’s neighbourhoods. But naturally, the freedom martyrs—the names of those young men who defended their homeland and gave what was dearest to them, their lives, for the freedom we enjoy—appear among many of the names. Among them are Qemal Stafa and Vasil Shanto, Ali Demi and Shyqyri Ishmi, Kajo Karafili, and others. Tirana’s new neighbourhoods stand side by side, and so, harmoniously, do the distinguished names of our national history and culture. Here are neighbourhoods 21, 22 and 23. They bear three familiar names: Abdyl Frashëri, ideologue of the League of Prizren; Aleksandër Xhuvani, a distinguished figure in our culture and education; and Karl Gega, the world-renowned Albanian engineer who designed the Semmering tunnel in the mountains of Austria. History speaks to people every day through certain symbols, too. An event from the life of the country, the name of a patriot, or even a single sentence can draw you into memories. One of the capital’s neighbourhoods is given the simple, beautiful name “Rinia” (“Youth”). One could speak at length about youth: it has been and remains the inexhaustible strength of the homeland. But what else, among other things, does this name bring to mind? Perhaps the campaign carried out in a single night more than 40 years ago, when young people, through voluntary labour, created that beautiful park along “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard—perhaps the most beautiful park the capital has today. This event cannot be separated from all the youth campaigns, or from the fact that every metre of the hundreds of kilometres of railway Albania has today is the work of their hands, just like the terraces of Lukovë and Leskovik, like Bogova or the Ksamil ... Like a garland of bravery among the names of Tirana’s neighbourhoods stands a line of patriots from martyr Kosovo: Bajram Curri and Hasan Prishtina, Isa Boletini, and others. Their lives were devoted to Albania, to freedom, progress and democracy. The people’s memory has not forgotten them and never will. Throughout our centuries-old history, we have drawn inspiration from the legendary deeds of Skënderbeu and survived on this land; in the same way, we are inspired by the stature of Fan Noli and the patriotism of Luigj Gurakuqi. That is why we have given, and continue to give, their names to our schools, streets and neighbourhoods. They are always before our eyes. Tirana once had about 25,000 inhabitants; in these 45 years its population alone has grown more than tenfold. One Tirana neighbourhood bears the simple name “Tëkstilistii.” In everyday speech we say “we’re going to the combine” or “I work at the combine.” But this neighbourhood now has more than 15,000 residents. They are the children, grandchildren and, why not, even great-grandchildren of those who laid the foundations of the first textile industry in our country. We have always regarded these new names of the capital’s neighbourhoods, familiar even to schoolchildren, as points of reference and pride. Naturally, tomorrow they will also become part of our new addresses. As Tirana grows, they too grow before our eyes. As always, they inspire in us boundless love of our homeland.

NEWS OF THE DAY FROM THE DISTRICTS A NEW WORK SITUATION IN AGRICULTURE

- SHKODER - Around 150 mm of rain has fallen in Shkodër in recent days. How is this new situation in agriculture being dealt with? Agronomist Dashnor Kraja at the Vraka agricultural cooperative tells us: “Our first task is to apply a dressing of nitrate across the entire area planted with wheat, a task that had been postponed. This work was carried out through a collective work campaign. Another campaign has now begun to replace the tobacco seedlings that failed to take root because of the drought.” Meanwhile, the seedbeds have created suitable conditions for accelerating the pace of tobacco planting. So far, this work has been completed on 60 percent of the area. Like Vraka, following the new conditions that have emerged, almost the entire Upper Shkodra region has benefited; its particular concern is saving the tobacco planting, which had been at a standstill before the rains. At district level, around 47 percent of the tobacco has been planted. In the Lower Shkodra region, whose conditions differ from those of Upper Shkodra, the urgent problem is draining the plots, especially those planted with spring crops. Before the rainfall, maize planting slowed down, particularly in Mjeda, Dajç, NB e Bushat, etc. Now the new conditions have prompted people to mobilize their forces so that planting can be completed on time and the favorable conditions put to use. In this way, the aim of planting all the mai- srin by April 25. At the district level, this crop has so far been planted on about 50 percent of the area. In many farms, specialists are inspecting the plots planted with maize to ensure, in particular, that the number of plants conforms to the technology. The agricultural cooperatives of Hajmel, Bajzë, Dedaj, Zagorë, Gruemirë, etc., are giving this task their attention. Meanwhile, preparations are under way to begin the rice-planting campaign. However, a faster pace is needed in preparing the rice fields. This is a more urgent problem in Barbullush, where 93 ha of rice fields are to be planted. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

- PUKE - Speaking with officials and specialists now, after the rain, one hears almost the same words: “It wasn’t rain that fell, but a blessing.” Indeed, after 3–4 days of rainfall in this district, with as much as 117 mm in a day, the growth of wheat and other crops that had been planted is clearly noticeable. “Today the plots have been flooded at the cooperative,” Nikë Shahini, head of the planning department at the Iballë agricultural cooperative, told us. “We say ‘flooded’ because the work came to a standstill after the rain and snow (this farm also had 7–8 cm of snow). But what was achieved? The drainage network was reopened on 80 hectares planted with wheat, a dressing of nitrate was applied to all the crops, and work was accelerated on other fronts. The ox teams and tractors were in the fields ploughing and preparing, so that in two or three days we can begin planting maize.” - The rain caught the potatoes, beans and newly planted maize crops, (Continued on page 2)

- GRAMSH - - Efforts are being made to complete tobacco planting by April 25. What do these past few days’ experience show? In some farms, conditions were met with better organization. This is shown by the fact that in Përrejas, Kushovë and Sotorë tobacco seedlings were planted even when it was raining. On the first and second days after the rains, more than 100 hectares were planted, or 16 percent of the entire planned area. The cooperative members of Shëmrizë, Skënderbegas and Mashan set an example by doubling their work schedules. So far, 60 percent of the district-wide target has been planted. If this pace continues, the task will be completed five days ahead of the set target. Despite the achievements so far, there is still some delay. Two farms, Sulti and Tunja, which are among those with large tobacco-growing areas, are not progressing like their sister farms, even though conditions are similar. ASTRIT DUZHA

At the “Koli Myzeqari” food-processing enterprise in Berat, work is already under way to have the tomato-processing line for tomato paste ready in time.

At work in the Lezhë food-processing enterprise: (Photo: N. Xhufka)

A few days ago, the house of Nduë Ndotit in Blinisht accidentally caught fire. A few days ago, the house of Nduë Ndollit in Blinisht accidentally caught fire. Although it was Sunday and the middle of the night, the whole village came to help. The family’s fire ... Everyone tried to do something, to offer help to the family of seven, who had no time to save anything. Someone took off his jacket and gave it to the children just rescued from the flames; others tried to put out the tongues of fire. The fire could not be extinguished, but the family’s hearts were reassured. The comrades said: “This is a grave misfortune, but not an insurmountable one. What matters is that the people were saved; we will solve the rest together, as we have overcome every misfortune.” And those words became reality: the family was immediately provided with accommodation in two rooms; bedding, kitchen utensils and other necessities were supplied. The villagers began bringing food and everything that was missing. It was as though they were one big family. A rightful pride comes over you in those moments when you see the unity of our people, which appears without calls or commotion, but comes from within, with roots deep in their hearts. That is why Prenga Ndoy was right when he said: we have! When I see society by my side, our pain is eased...” GJON. NDOJA

Continuing the series of selected recollections devoted to the figure and work of Comrade Enver Hoxha, the second volume of the book “Memories of Enver” has been printed and released. As part of the series of selected recollections devoted to the figure and work of Comrade Enver Hoxha, the second volume of the book “Memories of Enver” has been printed and released. The book is a collection of memories and impressions by Comrade Enver’s comrades, fellow fighters and close collaborators; Party and state leaders; and cadres and workers from various sectors of the country’s life who knew or met the leader at different times, during the years of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War and of socialist construction. Through these accounts, drawn from events close to the life of the unforgettable leader, his love for people and close ties with the people, his spirit of dedication to building, and his ideas for the development and progress of the socialist Homeland as a whole emerge. The book was prepared by the publishing house “8 Nëntori”. (ATSH)