The government's plan to build the
world's longest suspension bridge across the Messina Straits to
link Sicily to the Italian mainland would be impossible fro
those lacking the courage to make it real, Premier Giorgia
Meloni said of the long-delayed and controversial project
Friday.
Speaking at the signing between the government and the Calabria
Region of a key agreement for development and cohesion, the
premier said that among the funds for Calabria there are "the
(initial) 300 million euro earmarked by law for the construction
of the bridge over the Strait of Messina, what many like to say
will never be done, it is impossible, I am convinced that
impossible is the word used by those who have no courage and no
desire to work, because for those who have courage and desire to
work things get done".
Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said
Tuesday responding to a complaint filed to prosecutors by the
opposition Democratic Party (PD) and Green-Left Alliance (AVS)
arguing that the bridge project should be halted again
due to an alleged lack of transparency on procedures and
funding, that the bridge would be built and would be "the pride
of all".
"The No party is shameless: they do not win at the ballot box
and so they use the courts trying to stop a work that will bring
work, development and growth to Sicily, Calabria and the whole
country," said the rightwing League party leader, who has made a
banner of the bridge, once a pet project of the late Silvio
Berlusconi.
"Let the left get over it: the bridge will be built and it will
be a boast for the whole of Italy. Full steam ahead!"
Salvini said recently that the government's 2024 budget provides
over 10 billion euros of financial coverage for the project,
thus proving doubters wrong.
The government has revived the project to build what would be
the world's longest suspension bridge, which had been long
delayed due to funding issues as well as fears of mafia
infiltration and graft, and seismic and environmental concerns.
The League leader has said the bridge will cost no more than 12
billion euros spread over 15 years.
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