“Marinella recreational sports centre”: this is what we read at the entrance to the new reality which from today takes on an important role in the urban nucleus of the Marinella area. A reality made possible, however, thanks to the reclamation of the former landfill in the Arcidiacono area, for the story to which the word “end” can finally be written.
This morning, before getting into the heart of the pre-inaugural ceremony, with the civil and military authorities acting as a backdrop, the phases and moments that characterized the important reclamation and redevelopment project of the former landfill (a project advanced and perfected over the course of all these years) were illustrated; and the sole commissioner for national land reclamation, the General of the Carabinieri Giuseppe Vadalà (today also in the dual role of moderator), the prefect of Vibo, Anna Aurora Colosimo, the Lieutenant Colonel of the Carabinieri and sub-commissioner for land reclamation, Nino Tarantino, Fabrizio Penna del Mase, the general director of Arpacal Michelangelo Iannone, the technical director of Serveco, Carmelo, had their say. Marangi, and the rup Nico Donato. The mayor Sergio Pititto will do the honors.
Furthermore, General Vadalà wanted to conclude the activity on Pizzo by also inviting the other former mayors who had come and gone over the years and with whom he shared the different phases that led to the definitive reclamation. In the audience, Franco Falcone and Gianluca Callipo, and Prefect Colosimo also remembered the commissioner trio, mentioning her retired counterpart Antonio Reppucci (absent because he is out of the region) “who gave so much to this city”. The Vadalà structure consists of 18 soldiers and 7 specialists and they have all been mentioned, because they all contributed to the closure of the dispute: the former landfill was in fact the subject of a European infringement procedure, and General Vadalà always accelerated to reach a conclusion quickly. Everything went as planned, which was inevitable, given the efficiency of the single commissioner’s structure.
Absent were the governor of Calabria, Roberto Occhiuto, and the deputy minister Vannia Gava (because she was abroad) who sent a video greeting, highlighting the commitment made by General Vadalà, thanking him «for his commitment and tenacity», and noting how Pizzo today is «the concrete testimony of what it means to inhabit the territory. Today, a regenerated and safe place, the Pizzo site is emblematic, because in addition to reclamation it also represents rebirth. In Pizzo – concluded the deputy minister – the example of good administration; and from these successes, we must start again to look forward with awareness and hope.”
In the afternoon, the play area for the little ones was also inaugurated, animated by the “Dance Academy FM” dance school, as well as demonstration sports competitions. The presence of Falcone and Callipo highlights the mayors’ desire to redevelop the former landfill site. The project began with the Falcone government which, for this purpose, had obtained funding of 1,247,000 euros; financing which was then used by the Nicotra administration, which had the work carried out on the mouth of the Angitola river. Then it was the turn of the Callipo government which obtained financing from the CIPE 2012 funds. First 1 million, but then a 4 million project was created to carry out the reclamation (instead of cupping) with the approval of the Services Conference. And this is what Commissioner Vadalà started from in 2017/2018.
Now it’s all in the hands of the users. Hence the warning from Arpacal general director Michelangelo Iannone: «Reclaiming and restoring value to territories does not only mean redeveloping the environment, but protecting the health of the communities that live in it. Every environmental remediation intervention is also an act of health prevention: less contamination means better health, more quality of life and more trust in institutions.”