This morning Messina hosted the first part of the mission of the parliamentary commission of inquiry into the security conditions and state of degradation of cities and their suburbs, led by MP Alessandro Battilocchio (FI).
The delegation held institutional meetings at the Municipality and in the Prefecture, with hearings of the sub-commissioner for the redevelopment Santi Trovato and of the regional councilor Elvira Amata, while in the afternoon inspections of slums and peripheral areas of the city.
Battilocchio underlined the importance of this fourteenth stage of the national tour: “We are collecting information to provide useful ideas for the government’s action on the suburbs, a central theme on the Italian political agenda. We are not here to give report cards nor do we have a magic wand”. The deputy highlighted the perception of positive safety in Messina, confirmed by the police commissioner and the Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza commands, with a 2% drop in crimes compared to 2023. However, he drew attention to youth crime and drug use, as well as the need to strengthen police forces.
The Commission also addressed issues of urban redevelopment and slums, launched in 2021 with national programs, and appreciated the prefect’s initiative for monitoring the suburbs, with the involvement of school managers. Among the projects highlighted, the video surveillance project was financed for almost 10 million euros.
“The extension of the special law? It will be addressed in other forums, because it is not the responsibility of this commission. There was a request to give continuity to this path” concluded Battilocchio.
M5S deputy Antonio Iaria underlined concern for the management discontinuity compared to previous commissioners and for the relocation of slum inhabitants, while Andrea De Maria (PD) drew attention to the long process times and the connection between new works and the risk of mafia infiltration on construction sites.
In the afternoon, inspections in the most marginal areas of the city, to complete a picture of the degradation and critical issues of the city suburbs.