Over 420 assets confiscated from the mafias and a worrying scenario sees Liguria as the protagonist. “There is talk of a criminal macro-area as regards Liguria, with the three centers of Genoa, Ventimiglia and Lavagna: a sign that the whole region is pervaded by this phenomenon“- he tells Radio Babboleo Roberto Centi, president of the Regional Anti-Mafia Commission of Liguria – “it is therefore essential to implement all the tools we have, starting from raising awareness among the youngest”.
“At the end of 2020, with the establishment of the Anti-Mafia Commission in Liguria, we understood that one of the fundamental aspects to carry forward was a regional rule on confiscated assets. There were delays in the allocation and use of assets, also due to the lack of necessary funds” – continues Centi – “so already in 2022 a very successful tender, then the drafting of the single tender and the possibility starting from 2 September to do good for the region”.
A long journey and now the approval in the regional council for the new law which regulates the fight against organized crime and establishes a “regional strategic plan” dedicated to the valorisation of confiscated assets: an annual allocation of 600 thousand euros, which local authorities will be able to request from the Liguria Region up to a maximum of 100 thousand euros as a non-repayable grant.
41 municipalities interested throughout Liguria who can take advantage of co-financing up to 100 and covering 90% of the investment for large municipalities and 80% for small ones. “Goods that are just waiting to be made available to society” – continues Centi – “which can be allocated to the Municipality, health or community services, shelters for women and children, reception centers or accommodation for the elderly and disabled, training, recreational services, co-working spaces or for civil protection”.
“The problem is that there is no real awareness of the gravity of the phenomenon, because the mafia is no longer dressed in a flat cap but has the appearance of white collar workers and is placed in a gray area, requiring great professionalism to enter into public tenders and financial flows” – says Centi – “40% of the cocaine seized in Italy comes from our four regional ports.”
Listen here to the full interview with the President of the Regional Anti-Mafia Commission of Liguria Roberto Centi
