Before the bicameral Commission for Insularity, chaired by the deputy Tommaso Calderone, the governor of Sicily, Renato Schifani, also addressed the issue of the resources assigned to the fund for air connections, additional to those for territorial continuity for which the Region contributes significant funding.
"The financial commitment that arises from the law was then specified by the interministerial decree Infrastructure and transport and Economy and finance of 26 September 2023 which, in full force, assigned approximately 10 million euros to Sicily and 5 million euros to Sardinia - said Schifani - As regards Sicily, the quantification shows that, in the face of a requirement that amounts to over 25 million euros, the State therefore takes on just under 40% of the expenditure (10 million out of 25), while regional finance takes on over 60%. Aside from this, there is the burdensome regional commitment in the matter of maritime transport which weighs almost entirely on regional finances".
«It is therefore quite evident that the allocation is insufficient to guarantee the system of air connections to and from Sicily and Sardinia which, by express indication of the legislator, must be 'complete and effective' - he continued - The aforementioned funding shortfalls must be filled by integrating the allocations in strict compliance with the constitutional provisions».
(Online Union)
