Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Premier, has promised a quick solution to the new garbage problem in Southern Italy, unveiling the government's plan to take control of a local garbage dump where furious residents clashed with police for days, and announcing millions of euros in damages.
Berlusconi called an emergency meeting in Italy's capital Rome following the violent confrontations in Terzigno, a small settlement close to Naples, where demonstrators set fire to vehicles and hurled firecrackers and stones at police. They were protesting against the poor conditions and stench of the garbage dump, and the plan to set up a new one in Vesuvio National Park.
Berlusconi blamed poor management by a local company for the garbage dump's condition, and announced that Civil Protection Department would manage the dump from now on. The government will also pledge 14 million euros in compensation for local residents and new development projects in the town, according to the premier.
"We believe the situation can be brought back to normal within 10 days," Berlusconi told journalists after the Rome meeting.
Naples and its outskirts have faced garbage problems for years, due to poor management and corruption. Berlusconi solved a similar crisis two years ago when collectors refused to pick up garbage as dumps were filled to capacity and residents resisted new ones.
The government is planning more garbage dumps and the use of incinerators, describing these measures as the long-term solution to the issue.
