Musumeci: “Bonaccini is the governor: a manager is needed for the reconstruction”

«The president of a Region must be the president of the Region. To be the extraordinary commissioner of a reconstruction, which can last up to 9-10 years and manage public money, you need a manager, a person who can dedicate himself exclusively to this, night and day». Thus Nello Musumeci, Minister for Marine Policies and Civil Protection recently appointed as coordinator of the table between the government and local authorities for Emilia Romagna speaking at the “Earth for All” Festival in Milan.

Interviewed by Riccardo Luna, director of Green&Blue, spoke on the theme of the post-flood that destroyed a part of Romagna. And faced with the uncertainty about the appointment of the extraordinary commissioner who will have to deal with the reconstruction and which many administrations indicate in the governor Stefano Bonaccini, he replied: «The president of a Region can never be totally excluded from a reconstruction process, this does not mean but what should the extraordinary commissioner do?

When asked if the flood could have been avoided: «No, not in those dimensions, it was an exceptional event. But the damage could be contained. Zero risk does not exist, but we all have a duty to contain it: it can only be done with prevention work».

Challenged by Rosalba Giugni of the Marevivo association, he responded by wearing the scarf with the blue and red stripes of climate change, making it clear: «We centre-right politicians are accused of poor environmental commitment. Let’s say instead that everyone has their own vision. This is how I describe myself: I am a balanced environmentalist ».

What is your opinion on climate change?
«A lot of damage has already been done, we have to save what can be saved. We have said it many times, we are good in emergencies, but not at planning. The ministries are full of studies and research, but it is no longer the time for studies: it is time to open the construction sites».

Whose fault is it?
«A certain policy in the last 30-40 years has followed a cynical and perverse line. He preferred to think about rebuilding rather than planning.
Rebuilding on the rubble, especially under the emotional pressure of a disaster, immediately translates into consensus. If instead, for example, you design an embankment to make a river safe, the emotional drive is not there and consensus is less.
We must change our mentality, we politicians too ».

He said that in Emilia Romagna the damage from the flood could be limited. Are you referring to the Governor, Stefano Bonaccini?
«I don’t do politicians’ report cards and Emilia Romagna is a complex region. Like the rest of Italy: on climate risk work has been done badly everywhere thinking only of the present and not of prevention. From North to South, the question we must ask ourselves today is not whether or not a natural phenomenon linked to the climate will happen, but only when it will happen».

He explains his role as coordinator between government and local authorities. An appointment that created discontent?
«I am only the coordinator in the post-flood phase, given that I am the Minister of Civil Protection. The emergency phase will last a year and 2 billion euros have been allocated.
Then there will be the reconstruction phase and many more billions will be needed there, but they will be managed by the extraordinary commissioner ».

Could it be the current governor?
“It could be, sure. Even if I imagine a more managerial figure. The government has the right to manage this phase according to his vision ».

You found on your desk the climate adaptation plan that Italy has been waiting for since 2016. When will it finally be approved?
«My colleague Pichetto Fratin will present it at the beginning of 2024. There is no delay, we have inherited an outdated plan. The question is: why hasn’t it been launched since 2016?».

Today is Oceans Day. For the SalvaMare law, only the implementing decrees are missing. Why haven’t they been launched in nine months?
«A government is asked to quickly issue decrees on a law that is not its own. There are aspects of that rule, which it is true we also voted for, but it is from 2022 and must be changed. We have opened a table with three other ministries and environmental associations. But I want to remind you that the Sea Plan will be ready by July, which will lay down the rules on trade and the economy».
So give us a date for the implementing decrees of the SalvaMare law.
“Only you journalists like dates.”