Breaking News: Uiltrasporti Sicilia Critics AGCM Management of Palermo’s Public Services
In a sharp critique, Uiltrasporti Sicilia has slammed the Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) for failing to address the fundamental issues plaguing Palermo’s public services. The union faults the AGCM for placing undue blame on companies and workers, calling for urgent, structural reforms to improve waste management and transportation.
Efficiency Hindered by Structural Issues
According to Uiltrasporti Sicilia, the efficiency of Palermo’s public sector services has been undermined by long-standing political decisions. The union stresses that instead of focusing on purely operational matters, authorities must address critical components such as inadequate waste collection and public transportation routes. “The real causes of inefficiencies are political and institutional,” they underline.
Data shows that separate waste collection in Palermo is alarmingly low, with systemic issues contributing to urban degradation. Uiltrasporti Sicilia argues that full responsibility cannot be placed solely on companies like Rap and Amat, urging a comprehensive reform that includes environmental education and strict controls.
The Imperative for a Waste Regulation
A pivotal tool for addressing these issues is the stalled waste regulation in Palermo’s city council. Uiltrasporti Sicilia highlights the urgency of approving this regulation, which includes the figure of an environmental inspector already trained but not yet implemented. The absence of this regulation is viewed as a significant barrier to managing waste effectively.
“There is a waste regulation blocked for some time in the drawers of the city council, never approved despite its importance. Within that regulation, the figure of the environmental inspector is provided, already formed by the SRR, but never introduced in urban management. Without concrete tools, the problem cannot be solved,” declare Katia Cristina and Raffaele Montuoro.
Enhancing Public Transport Services
The union also points out the challenges in public transport management, emphasizing that AMAT faces issues extending beyond mere operational inefficiencies. Significant investments and structural changes are needed to ensure the smooth functioning of transport services.
Cristina and Alfredo Montalto note that while some improvements have been made—such as increases in the bus fleet—further interventions are necessary to mitigate congestion and enhance service reliability.
The State of Tram Services
Particularly concerning is the state of the tram service, which faces a financial gap of 6 million euros annually. Uiltrasporti Sicilia calls for increased investment in the tram, currently supported at a fraction of the national average, to ensure its sustainability and adequacy.
Safety and Dignity for Workers
The union additionally advocates for improved safety measures and conditions for workers, who often operate in difficult and dangerous circumstances. “Drivers and Amat staff suffer attacks and work in conditions of precariousness and tension, without adequate safety measures. Yet, they are pointed out as responsible for the inefficiency of the service,” they highlight.
An Urgent Call for Action
Generating sustained improvements in local public services demands long-term strategic planning and institutional commitment. Uiltrasporti Sicilia exhorts authorities to prioritize these structural reforms, ensuring that “the problem of waste management and local public transport must be addressed with structural interventions” to guarantee efficient and safe services.
