The cost for food, accommodation, and services for the 300 Italian police officers deployed in migrant centers in Shengjin and Gjider, Albania could reach up to nine million euros per year. This includes renting four-star hotels with single rooms, catering, and related services such as a private beach, pool, and wellness center. The political controversy surrounding this expense has drawn criticism from figures like Riccardo Magi, who accused Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of miscalculating the costs of detention centers for migrants in Albania. Filiberto Zaratti, a member of the constitutional affairs committee, suggested that the situation in Albania was becoming a national scandal orchestrated by the government and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
Sources from the Ministry of the Interior explain that the nine million euro estimate is the maximum expenditure if the entire security personnel quota is utilized, and the choice of facilities was made in accordance with union agreements. However, this cost is minimal compared to the overall expenses for the Albania operation. Minister Matteo Piantedosi provided these numbers during a parliamentary question time, stating that the investment could potentially reduce the significant costs of initial extraordinary reception, which currently amount to around 1.7 billion euros per year. The accommodation service contract is valid for 12 months and was approved on August 5th.
The daily cost per officer is stated to be 80 euros, making the total expenditure 8.897.200 euros. The contract was awarded to Raffaelo Resort based on a considered offer deemed suitable for the administration’s needs. Prior to awarding the contract, the Ministry conducted verifications to ensure that the facilities were not connected to criminal elements. Gennarino de Fazio, the secretary of the Uilpa prison police union, also added to the criticism, highlighting disparities in accommodations for different police forces and expressing concerns about the treatment of prison officers compared to officers in Albania.
The situation has stirred further controversy, with De Fazio pointing out that while the contracted society provides luxury amenities to the officers in Albania, prison officers in Italy are still working in basic prefabricated structures without adequate furnishings. Angelo Bonelli, a spokesperson for the Green Europe party, accused Prime Minister Meloni of exacerbating tensions between the State Police and the prison police with her handling of the situation in Albania. The allocation for this operation over five years is reported to be 134 million euros, intended to streamline initial reception costs and make investments that will ultimately benefit policing operations and management.
Despite the criticism and controversy surrounding the cost of accommodations for police officers in Albanian migrant centers, the Ministry of the Interior maintains that the expenses are justified and necessary. The investment is viewed as a strategic move to optimize spending on initial reception and ultimately improve efficiency in policing operations. Minister Piantedosi’s defense of the expense as an investment rather than a frivolous cost highlights the government’s perspective on the long-term benefits and objectives of the operation in Albania. The complexities of balancing budgetary concerns with operational needs in the context of migration and security issues present ongoing challenges for policymakers and officials involved in such operations.
