Rivana Police Barracks Delayed Amid Tender Irregularities Investigation

In the plans of the Rivana administration it was supposed to be ready by Easter 2001. But almost three months past the set deadline, the work has not even started, and prospects are not exactly looking better. The renovation of the former slaughterhouse, destined to become a State Police barracks, was halted even before it began, that is, when last June the administration detected some irregularities in the tender process and promptly informed the authorities.

Irregularities in the tender process

When opening the envelopes submitted by various companies, it was immediately apparent that some offers significantly deviated from the price list established by the Province. Furthermore, what raised additional suspicion among the mayor and the councilors was the fact that four of the ten participating companies listed a large number of prices that were identical to each other and all far from the provincial prezzario averages.

This anomalous situation fuels suspicion and fear within the Rivana executive that the irregularities are intended to influence the awarding of the contract, which is based on a complex calculation of averages.

Investigations and bureaucratic delays

To determine whether the tender process was truly compromised, three inspectors appointed by the province will be investigating, one of whom is a judge, also approved by the Consiglio Superiore della Magistratura (Superior Council of the Judiciary). The delay in this investigation is mainly due to the lengthy bureaucracy of Rome, which has slowed the appointment of this trio of inspectors.

“An unacceptable delay now,” laments Vice Mayor Matteotti. “It’s not possible to wait so long. And the ones who suffer are us, who can’t give the go-ahead to an operation that, at this point, should already be practically completed.”