Niscemi, plans for works and demolitions underway
Decrees with the two 150 million programmes signed by Musumeci
Key points
The process of making Niscemi safe after the landslide that hit it hard in January is now in full swing. Yesterday, the Minister for Civil Protection and Sea Policies, Nello Musumeci, signed the decrees for the implementation of the two programmes, respectively for demolition and relocation and for structural prevention and reduction of hydraulic and hydrogeological risk, approved on Friday by the Council of Ministers. On the plate are the 150 million allocated to the Sicilian city by Decree 25/2026.
Implementing measures lie with Ciciliano
The plans have been prepared by the head of the Civil Protection Fabio Ciciliano as extraordinary commissioner for the area, in agreement with the Sicilian Region and in consultation with the mayor. It is now up to Ciciliano to launch the implementation measures, with the indication of the Single Project Codes and a precise procedural and financial timetable to be communicated both to the Civil Protection and to the State General Accounting Office.
Delocalisation, contributions for 53 million
The first programme identifies the red zone, divided into two areas (one up to 50 metres from the landslide and the other between 50 and 100 metres), and the buildings involved, providing a preliminary cost estimate. "About 22 million for demolitions in the 50-metre safety zone," Musumeci explains, "and about 53 million for relocation contributions. There are 278 buildings in the safety belt'.
Purchase or renovation
In exchange for the contributions, there are three ways: one can purchase an existing real estate unit in the municipality of Niscemi or, failing that, in the neighbouring municipalities; or a building area to construct a new dwelling in a suitable area in the municipality of Niscemi or, failing that, in the neighbouring municipalities; or renovate and make habitable further buildings in Niscemi or in the neighbouring municipalities that are already available to the beneficiaries.
Excluded properties
Eligible for the programme are buildings intended for residential and commercial use, those subject to an eviction or uninhabitable order, and those located in areas that have been found to be incompatible with reconstruction. Excluded from contributions are those lacking planning legitimacy, buildings in ruins or in an obvious state of structural decay, and those built in violation of building regulations that have not been remedied. If the beneficiary has already received insurance compensation or a public contribution for the building for similar purposes, he may only receive the difference between what he would be entitled to receive and what he has already received in the past.
