On the financing (at risk) relating to the construction of a dog shelter in Andria, the dialogue remains open with the Ministry to find a solution, but it is also true that compared to the funds initially obtained there has been a downward remodulation of the figure that brought the work to a halt. This is what was explained in a note by the councilor for public works of Andria, the architect. Mario Loconte, after the news of a possible loss of financing of around 850 thousand euros because the 12-month maximum time limit for starting work on the construction of the dog shelter has passed. The possible revocation of the funds has been feared in recent days by the Department for Internal and Territorial Affairs of the Ministry, which will evaluate whether or not to withdraw the financing obtained from the municipality of Andria at the end of 2021 after having successfully applied for a Feasibility project Technical and Economic equal to 1,160,000 euros (of which 2 thousand co-financing by the institution). «While we were working on the drafting of the project – explained Loconte – a note arrived from the Ministry itself which remodulated the assigned funds, refinancing the work considering the amount of the resources definitively assigned as €858,124.36, thus determining a stoppage on work in progress. At the same time – the Andria councilor wrote – the regional price lists were updated with the increases in the costs of construction materials and the entry into force of the new Regional Law which definitively approved the new implementing regulation which contains the new rules on the control of stray dogs, canine registry and animal protection”. The new regulations impose an expansion of the surface area necessary to carry out all the functions relating to the health kennel, with a consequent increase in costs. «With this Regulation – concluded Loconte – there is therefore a greater commitment of spending and resources to guarantee compliance with the requirements and parameters imposed. We are in contact with the Ministry to find a solution.”
The issue of reshaping financing also concerned the projects for the construction of the two new kindergartens in Andria planned in the San Valentino district (Children’s Centre) and in Largo Ceruti. Also on this front, councilor Loconte responded to some controversy, underlining that for both structures the objective remains unchanged even if with remodulated funds.
