Genoa, works hanging by a thread

The Genoa investigation, which led to the arrest (among others) of the Ligurian governor Giovanni Toti, the logistics entrepreneur Aldo Spinelli (both under house arrest), and the former president of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, Paolo Signorini (in prison), hangs like the sword of Damocles over the future of the major works planned in the city area, worth a total of 7 billion euro. The risk that some or many of these will slow down or come to a halt because of what emerges from the investigation is very high. And also contributing to the impasse has come the notice of investigation (for abuse of office) to the current commissioner of the Adsp (former secretary general), Paolo Piacenza.

In short, it is the entire world of Genoese shipping that is trembling, together with that of industry, which fears the blurring of entrepreneurial opportunities linked to infrastructure works that Genoa has been waiting for for decades and which could now come to a halt, due to the effects of the enquiry. A stop that, should it occur, would also put the (conspicuous) funding from the Pnrr in check.

Among the works on which many fears are poured there is also the new breakwater of the port of Genoa, an infrastructure of national interest, as well as the great redevelopment plan for the city that includes, among other things, the sub-port tunnel (for the city's road system), the new eastern waterfront, designed by Renzo Piano and currently under construction, the seaward enlargement of the Fincantieri plant in Sestri Ponente, and the Bisagno river spillway, which is essential to contain the flood risk hanging over the city.

Even though most of these works fall under the competence of the municipality, it is clear how an investigation involving both the President of the Region and the (current and former) top management of the Adsp, risks blowing up the so-called 'Genoa model'. That is to say, that streamlined decision-making system, also based on commissarial powers, which allowed the reconstruction, in less than two years, of the motorway viaduct on the Polcevera (which collapsed on 14 August 2018) and was based on a continuous institutional collaboration between the Municipality and the Region and, in particular, between the mayor of Genoa, Marco Bucci and Toti. A model also taken as an example by the Government, at a national level, but which could collapse if the judiciary ascertains, as the investigation fears, that it favoured episodes of corruption.

Leaving aside the political repercussions, the works for which Toti was government commissioner are at risk of heavy delays. First and foremost, those of soil protection, including, as mentioned, the Bisagno spillway, which has been under construction for years (and whose work, however, is currently continuing). With Toti under arrest, the commissioner's office has fallen and, being ad personam, cannot pass automatically to the interim president, Alessandro Piana. This is why the Region has asked the Ministry of the Environment to appoint a new commissioner, offering the availability of Piana himself and the Councillor for Soil Protection, Giacomo Giampedrone.