Bridge over the Strait: CGIL files a complaint regarding financial loss to the public purse

The CGIL has lodged a complaint with the Court of Auditors requesting an investigation into whether, in the management of the Messina Strait Bridge project, public funds were used correctly or whether there are grounds for financial loss to the state. The complaint is signed by the General Secretary Maurizio Landini.

“This is not an ideological battle,” explains the CGIL, “nor is it a prejudicial opposition to the project, but rather a matter of defending public money. Every euro wasted on the bridge is a euro taken away from hospitals, schools and the real infrastructure that the South needs.”

The complaint was submitted to the regional public prosecutors’ offices of the Court of Auditors of Sicily and Lazio, and to the Attorney General’s Office at the judicial appeals section of the Court of Auditors for the Region of Sicily. The CGIL believes it is ‘only right to ask the Court of Auditors to verify whether these enormous public resources have been used in accordance with the law and in the public interest, or whether there is a real risk that damage is being caused to the state’s finances’.

The trade union pointed out that the Court of Auditors itself, whilst examining the resolution of Cipess, had highlighted numerous critical issues regarding the Strait Bridge project, including the failure to determine the final cost of the project and aspects concerning compliance with European legislation on public procurement and environmental protection. Southern Italy – explains the trade union – continues to need modern railways, safe roads, efficient transport, ports, schools, hospitals and high-quality public services. These are the investments that can truly improve people’s lives, create jobs and reduce regional disparities. This is why we are calling on the Court of Auditors to shed full light on the management of the resources allocated to the Strait Bridge project.”

The initiative was met “with great surprise” by the chief executive of Stretto di Messina, Pietro Ciucci. “Stretto di Messina,” the manager emphasises, “has operated and continues to operate in full compliance with the regulations and with the utmost care to safeguard public funds earmarked for the construction of the bridge over the Strait of Messina. The control mechanisms are comprehensive, clearly defined and transparent. We are a wholly publicly-owned, in-house company and are therefore subject to oversight by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which monitors the company’s main activities. Furthermore, the company is subject to scrutiny by the Court of Auditors, exercised by the delegated magistrate who attends the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Board of Statutory Auditors.”