The mayor of Breil-sur-Roya has appealed directly to public and private banks for help financing reconstruction work nearly six years after Storm Alex devastated the Roya valley village, saying the commune has secured the funding it needs but lacks the cash flow to front the cost of construction, according to Petites Affiches.
In an appeal posted to social media on July 16, mayor Sébastien Olharan said the commune holds the necessary subsidies and has projects ready or already underway, but risks being unable to advance the work quickly enough due to a lack of cash reserves. The commune estimates it needs to invest close to 90 million euros between 2020 and 2032, including around 30 million euros to rebuild infrastructure destroyed by the Roya river's flooding and 40 million euros to repair damage from subsequent landslides.
"We have the subsidies, the projects are ready or underway, but we risk not being able to move fast enough due to a lack of cash flow," Olharan said.
Alongside his appeal to the banking sector, Olharan has written to President Emmanuel Macron seeking his support, and is calling for lawmakers to create a dedicated fund helping any commune facing similar cash flow difficulties after a natural disaster.
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