FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Many unforeseen events slowed down the construction of two structures in the area of Shengjin and Gjader.
We will still have to wait for the opening of new centers for immigrants in Albania. The first 400 countries are not expected to see the light of day even next week. Many unforeseen events slowed down the construction of two structures in the area of Shengjin and Gjader, which according to the Italy-Albania memorandum of understanding signed on November 7 and ratified by law 14/2024, should have seen the light at the end of May and we expect no more than 3 thousand migrants at the same time: in the end we will stop at a little more than a thousand of those rescued in international waters, headed for Italy and coming from the so-called "safe" countries.
-The last work obstacle: after the abnormal heat, the incessant rains
"Operational difficulties". This is how Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defined the obstacles at the meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 30, adding: "We are overcoming them one by one because we believe very much in this innovative project, which most of the EU member states requested from the Commission get the model. We are aware that all eyes are on us and therefore we aim to do everything perfectly".
After the abnormal heat of the summer, the last obstacle was represented by the incessant rains, which slowed down the work of the Albanian company called to lay the asphalt in the area destined for the hot spot in the hills of Gjader (where the military base was), and which turned out to be the most problematic structure due to the tightness of the soil. This was also discussed at the meeting in Palazzo Chigi chaired on September 12 by Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, with the ministers involved and the Prefect of Rome Lamberto Giannini.
-What centers will be opened?
The puzzle to be put together is very complex. Based on the tender published on March 21 by the prefecture of Rome, the centers that will see the light are of three types: in Shengjin there will be a point of landing and identification of migrants rescued in international waters, almost ready, while in Gjader it should be create an 880-bed first reception facility for asylum seekers, where expedited border procedures will be applied to decide whether they will be eligible for protection or need to be repatriated, and a 144-bed repatriation detention centre. A penal institution is also planned, with a maximum capacity of 20 people, for immigrants who may be beneficiaries of precautionary measures for crimes committed in the structures.
- Cost secrets
The construction and management of the centers is borne by Italy (approximately 62 million euros), but the costs certainly do not end there and seem to be the most complicated puzzle to solve. The expenses listed in the ratification law amount to approximately 650 million and include a great variety of items, from maintenance to employment, from insurance to the travel of staff from Italy: the latter is the largest item (over 250 million). For renting the ship, the "preliminary market consultation" launched by the Ministry of the Interior speaks of a maximum of 13.5 million for three months.
The company Medihospes was awarded the contract to manage the reception for 24 months with a bid of 133.8 million euros. On June 5, during a visit to Tirana, Meloni recalled that: "in general, the allocated funds for the implementation of the protocol are 670 million euros for five years, i.e. 134 million euros per year, which corresponds to 7.5% of the expenses of related to the reception of immigrants in the national territory and we are convinced that these resources should not be considered as additional costs. According to Palazzo Chigi's calculations, with the current capacity of these centers at full capacity, taking into account immigrants who are not welcomed in Italy, we will save 136 million euros".
-Internal estimate: about 160 million per year for five years
But, also due to unforeseen events, the costs would be higher: in Question Time on August 7 in the Chamber, the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, spoke of "around 160 million a year", thus reaching 800 million in five years, that's how long the protocol lasts, renewable for another five years, constantly evoked by the opposition as a "waste of public money".
For the head of the Ministry of the Interior, this is an investment that will allow us to reduce the costs of reception management, which to date are equal to about 1.7 billion euros per year, which the incumbent government inherited from the Eras of previous ones, characterized by massive and uncontrolled arrivals of immigrants.
- The issue of personnel
According to the technical report attached to the law on the ratification of the Italy-Albania protocol, 500 units from the Ministry of the Interior, 46 units from the prison administration department of the Ministry of Justice and 23 units from the Ministry of Health are destined to work in the centers, including and the staff of the Maritime, Air and Border Health Office (Usmaf) and the National Institute for the Promotion of the Health of the Migrant Population (Inmp).
In August, the unions discussed the 14-point handbook they were given, full of recommendations such as "avoid dating Albanian women" and in restaurants, "stick to what is on the menu, requests for changes are not welcome."
-Lawyers and translators, ceiling 500 euros for refunds
The Justice-Economy Decree was published in the Official Gazette on August 24 with the measure and conditions for reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses of lawyers and translators who go to Albania to help immigrants admitted to free legal aid.
The ceiling is 500 euros for documented expenses for transport, accommodation and food. Expenses which are added to those already provided for the travel of ministerial officials and which are judged too low by lawyers. In order not to add here the concerns in the practical application already noted in Sole 24 Ore by the presidents of the National Council of Forensic Medicine and the Syndicate of Criminal Chambers. / Adapted "Pamphlet" from "ilsole24ore"
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