Concerns expressed by Italy's
anti-corruption authority that the project to build what would
be the world's longest suspension bridge across the Messina
Strait between Sicily and mainland Italy poses too many risks
for the public purse are "totally unfounded", the transport and
infrastructure ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
This is "not only because a person responsible for the
prevention of corruption and for transparency will be appointed,
but also because legality and the proper use of public funds are
guaranteed under the general rules of our legal system as well
as by the Procurement Code," the statement said, adding that
this sets out "exact responsibilities and sanctions".
The statement came after Italy's anti-corruption chief earlier
warned of "an imbalance in the relationship between the public
grantor and the private party, to the detriment of the public,
on which most of the risks end up being transferred".
National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC) president Giuseppe
Busia told parliament the anti-graft authority had proposed a
number of amendments to the draft legislation to "strengthen the
guarantees of the public party, which were not, however,
accepted by the government when the decree was converted into
law".
The project to build the bridge has been long delayed amid fears
of mafia infiltration and graft, as well as seismic and
environmental concerns.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
