New Protocol to Secure ‘Land of Fires’ Cleanup from Criminal Infiltration
Naples, February 9 – A significant protocol of understanding was signed today at the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Court of Appeal in Naples, aiming to combat criminal infiltration in the environmental remediation sector within the notorious ‘Land of Fires’ region. This agreement seeks to reinforce the control system over public contracts related to the cleanup of landfills and contaminated sites, with a specific focus on the affected areas.
The agreement brings together five key institutions: the General Prosecutor’s Office of Naples, the Prefecture of Caserta, the Prosecutor’s Office of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, the Sole Commissioner for the remediation of landfills and contaminated sites, and the Caserta Chamber of Commerce.
Advanced Platform for Enhanced Monitoring
The primary objective is to equip these entities with a modern, efficient, and shared tool for monitoring the entire public procurement chain. At the core of this protocol is an advanced telematic platform, developed and managed by the Caserta Chamber of Commerce. This platform will facilitate the collection and cross-referencing of critical data, including:
- Data on companies involved in the works;
- Financial flows related to contracts;
- Accounting documents and progress reports;
- Presence of personnel and vehicles on construction sites;
- Information on safety and health in the workplace.
“This serves to prevent Camorra infiltrations or deviations in the awarding of contracts,” stated General Prosecutor Aldo Policastro, adding, “and we will use this data also for investigative purposes. This is a pilot protocol because it will be tested in the coming months with the intention of extending it to the entire district and in particular to the prosecutor’s offices that have jurisdiction over the ‘Land of Fires’ territory, such as Naples, Naples North, and Nola.”
Accelerated Remediation Efforts Underway
General Giuseppe Vadalà, the Sole Commissioner, explained, “On September 15, we began disposing of two thousand tons of waste in the provinces of Caserta and Naples to accelerate the process, obviously in response to citizens’ demands. For now, 11 million euros have been allocated to Naples, 6 million to Caserta, and 2 million to an important objective. From February 16, we will gradually begin disposing of this waste, hoping to finish before June, when the fires start. The quantity of waste currently on the surface is 33,000 tons; it will not be enough for two years, it will take time to dispose of it and then carry out the other important objective, which is underground remediation.”
The complete traceability of activities – from the selection of operators to the operational phases of the construction site – represents an essential safeguard against criminal infiltrations and administrative irregularities. The Commissioner will also have the authority to sanction companies that fail to promptly update the required data.
Call for Broader Participation
The Prefect of Caserta, Lucia Volpe, highlighted the importance of the agreement for the administrative prevention system, emphasizing how the analysis of aggregated data will be fundamental for the Committee for Public Order and Safety and for the Anti-Mafia Inspection Group.
Pierpaolo Bruni, Prosecutor of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, described the platform as “a decisive added value for investigations,” but urged that the protocol be “extended to as many entities as possible, because those who have joined are few. The appeal is for other entities to participate to improve the fight against Camorra infiltrations in public contracts.” Currently, only four municipalities in the Caserta area and the Province have signed the protocol.
Finally, Tommaso De Simone, President of the Caserta Chamber of Commerce, expressed the entity’s pride in providing a technological platform: “We represent over 120,000 businesses; our task as the Chamber of Commerce is to promote the legal economy, the healthy businesses of our territory, also through the provision of the platform and other databases.”
The signing ceremony was also attended by General Francesco Gargaro, Commander of the Carabinieri Legion Campania; Divisional General Alessandro Barbera, Regional Commander of the Guardia di Finanza Campania; Andrea Grassi, Police Commissioner of Caserta; Colonel Manuel Scarso, Provincial Commander of the Carabinieri of Caserta; and Colonel Nicola Sportelli, Provincial Commander of the Guardia di Finanza of Caserta.
