The sinkholes that struck the Vomero district in Naples have had a devastating impact on businesses in the area. Shopkeepers have reported a 50% drop in revenue since the end of February and are demanding compensation from the City Council.
Trade associations stand alongside traders and ask for support measures not only for businesses directly damaged by the disasters, but also for those that have suffered a drop in customers due to the crazy traffic and inaccessible parking lots.
The Municipality is holding back on the possibility of collective compensation, fearing a dangerous precedent. The priority at the moment seems to be to help Gabriele Troisi's pizzeria, completely destroyed by the second landslide, but for other commercial businesses the roads to obtain compensation appear uphill.
Estimates speak of 2 million euros of lost revenue for the entire area of Vomero and San Martino. The traders are asking for the suspension of tax bills and the organization of a round table with the trade associations.
The situation is critical and requires urgent intervention by the institutions. It is necessary to find concrete solutions to help businesses in difficulty and avoid the risk of layoffs.
Claims for damages are an inevitable consequence of this tragedy. The Municipality will have to take responsibility for what happened and find the resources necessary to compensate the citizens and businesses damaged.
The safety of the territory and the protection of the economic fabric are two essential priorities. The city of Naples needs maintenance and structural interventions to prevent such disasters from happening again in the future.
Let's not wait for someone to die before we intervene. It's time to roll up our sleeves and work together to rebuild Vomero and restore hope to its inhabitants.
