MESSINA (ITALPRESS) – More than fifty associations, movements, committees and trade unions from Sicily and Calabria participated today in Messina at the event “L’ora del Ponte”, in the European Union square, to reiterate the support for the realization of the Bridge on the Strait, considered a strategic work for the Mezzogiorno and for the entire country.
Present is Vice-Premier and Minister of Infrastructures Matteo Salvini, who relaunched the government’s commitment to the start of the yards. “I put everything myself to give not only Sicily and Calabria, but to all Italy a unique work in the world,” he said. The Bridge, he added, “will bring work, less pollution, less traffic and connect the two banks with a Strait Metro with hundreds of steps a day, changing life better.”.
According to the minister, the infrastructure would also represent “an antidote to the mafia”, as well as “a symbol of the ability and strength of Italy in the world”. Salvini has emphasized that the project is followed “in the name of transparency and legality”, with the involvement of Court of Auditors, European Union and technical bodies, between engineers, geologists and architects.
“After a century of expectations, we hope to be the good year – he said – without giving deadlines, but with the utmost commitment.” The Vice-Premier therefore hoped for a more united political climate: “I hope that politics will join on development and work for young people.”.
In his speech, Salvini also proposed that, once completed, the work may be called “Ponte della Pace”, “especially at a complicated international moment”, reiterated respect for contrary positions but calling for “the same respect for those who want to build, unite and approach”.
The minister finally recalled the infrastructure yards already started between Sicily and Calabria, for a value of approximately 50 billion euros, claiming that “you can do both the rest and the Bridge”, defined “an opportunity of development, work and hope for the new generations”.
“A bridge, a railway, a tunnel or a port must be useful, but they also represent a symbol of the strength and wisdom of Italy in the world” added Salvini, who stressed that the start of the yards of the Bridge on the Strait can represent “a great sign of hope and trust”, especially for young people and for “the many Italians who have been forced to go abroad to look for work and fortune”.
The minister therefore highlighted the ordered climate of the event today, recalling that in the past there were also protests against “some quite noisy”, thanking instead “who today came in a compote manner”. In the course of his intervention, Salvini then recalled the international context, defining “a huge problem, if not a disaster” the continuation of conflicts, with possible repercussions on energy and costs for families and enterprises.
“As a government we are working to minimize the impact on petrol, diesel and bills,” he assured. Finally, the vice-premier reiterated the conviction on the achievement of the work: “I put it all and I am convinced that we can do and that it will be something that remains in history, not only Italian but world. I hope everyone will help us.”.
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-Photo xr6/Italpress-
(ITALPRESS).
