(ANSA) - Caserta, November 19 - A protocol of understanding
on the Land of Fires toxic-waste fire area of Campania was
signed in Caserta on Monday.
Premier Giuseppe Conte and Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio
addressed a press conference but the other deputy premier,
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, did not attend the conference
because he had to get back to Rome for a dinner.
The government has framed a "plan of action against the fires
in the land of Fires," Conte told the press conference.
This shows "the particular sensitivity and determination of
the government to fight the phenomenon of illegal waste dumps
and arson fires," he said.
Conte said "we have a very precise objective to safeguard the
health of the people in the Land of Fires".
Di Maio told the press conference that "every day we
will have to check that the sensitive sites are controlled, that
there is progress in the plan of clearing the dumps.
"We have chosen the most difficult road, not that of slogans.
He said the government would "control and close if needed
illegal firms that have produced the fake waste that was burned
or buried".
Salvini had proposed setting up waste incinerators across
Campania, a proposal that was rejected by Di Maio.
The interior ministry said there was "no polemic" in Interior
Minister Salvini not attending the press conference, saying he
had to rush back for a dinner at the Viminale, the ministry's
location in Rome.
The protocol was signed as a duel between Salvini and Di Maio
over trash management in Campania continued.
The spat started last week when League party leader Salvini
proposed the installment of new waste-incinerators across the
region, an idea rejected by Labour and Industry Minister and
5-Star Movement (M5S) chief Di Maio.
Conte visited the Campania province of Caserta with seven
ministers to pass the plan of action to combat the illegal
burning of toxic waste, a big problem in the area, which has
been called the 'land of fires'.
"This is the first act of a relentless battle that we must
win," said Di Maio, who described the incinerator proposal as
old-fashioned.
"It's like a talking about telephone boxes that require
tokens (for calls)," he added.
Furthermore, Minister for Southern Italy Barbara Lezzi, an
M5S member, said Salvini's suggestion that Campania should
follow the lead of the northern region of Lombardy on
incinerators was off the mark.
Lezzi said Lombardy's 13 incinerators "are not a model".
But Salvini stood by his position.
"Lombardy is not turning back," Salvini said.
"On the contrary, the aim is for other regions to move
forward.
"I don't want a country that turns back".
Cone said before signing the protocol Monday that there are
different views in government on how to solve Campania's waste
crisis but the government contract is "the guide".
Conte said "there is no polemic, there are a few differing
views but the government's political direction is clear and the
contract is the guide".
Land of Fires protocol signed in Caserta (3)
Govt launches plan of action in Campania area