Head of AMA rubbish removal agency blames inhabitants for dirty city.

"If Rome is dirty it is the fault of the Romans," says Daniele Fortini, the chief of the capital's rubbish agency AMA Roma.

Speaking on Radio 24, Fortini acknowledged that AMA could be more efficient and productive but said that without a "renewed civic conscience from citizens we'll never do it."

The AMA chief also applauded the initiative of Rome actor Alessandro Gassman whose Romasonoio Twitter campaign urges Romans to lend a hand cleaning up their city.

Fortini's radio interview came as the city administration signed a contract worth around €12 billion for AMA to continue managing the collection and disposal of Rome's refuse.

It also follows news of the sacking of 64 AMA employees following an enquiry into the so-called Parentopoli scandal involving the widespread practice of nepotism at the garbage company.

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