The activity of the rehabilitation commissioner structure led by the president of the Sicilian Region Renato Schifani continues in Messina. After the families moved into the new homes, demolitions resumed in the Taormina district, which is the second largest slum in the city, with the aim of freeing a large area and completing the southern side of the important junction of Via Don Blasco.
«Giving a dignified home to those who have lived for too many years in uncomfortable conditions is the priority action of rehabilitation – says President Schifani – and all the components of the commissioner structure are committed to giving citizens responses that are as adequate and quick as possible. For every demolished shack there is a family that has started a completely different life in a new home, and this is the most important thing, the result of the synergistic work of the offices and businesses.”
The division of the areas into lots, arranged by sub-commissioner Santi Trovato, guarantees the gradual demolition of the structures in such a way that, while an area is reclaimed, we proceed at the same time with the censuses, rankings and assignments of new houses to the families of the next lot. Demolitions are also scheduled at the construction sites in Via Rosso da Messina, Tirone and Largo Diogene.
To date, there are 42 homes that can be immediately assigned, while maintenance work is being planned or underway in another 40. Since January, four of the eight properties confiscated from the mafia have been handed over to the commissioner’s office, where renovation works are being carried out. Finally, there are around 30 apartments under the attention of the offices, among those already purchased, in the deed phase or awaiting documentation.
The demolition of over 20 shacks at the former wash house where the Enel connections have been deactivated will begin shortly and the area is being cleaned. At the behest of sub-commissioner Trovato, the definition of censuses and rankings in the various areas of rehabilitation is also continuing rapidly, soliciting in particular those in the lots for which demolition will begin in the coming months.