Environment, Urban Planning, and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum emphasized that they have been in the field since the moment he took office, stating, “We meticulously examine every inch of project areas. We don’t overlook any detail. We do not ignore any of our citizens’ issues. We won’t leave the table until we solve them.”
Following his visits to Malatya and Kahramanmaraş, Minister Kurum has arrived in Hatay, which suffered severe damage in the February 6 earthquakes. Kurum participated in a Provincial Coordination Meeting in Hatay, attended by the Governor, MPs, Mayors, District Governors, the Rector, NGOs, and chamber heads. He later inspected the construction site on Atatürk Avenue, receiving updates on the ongoing works.
“WE LEAVE NO DETAIL UNCHECKED”
Minister Murat Kurum reiterated their on-site presence since his appointment, saying, “We meticulously examine every inch of project areas. We don’t overlook any detail. We do not ignore any of our citizens’ issues. We won’t leave the table until we solve them.” He emphasized that they aim to ensure no citizen remains without shelter in earthquake-affected areas by the end of 2025, adding, “Our team is on the ground. We will be here until the call to prayer echoes from Ulu Mosque, until our citizens pray peacefully at Habibi Neccar Mosque, and until they can enjoy a bike ride along the Asi River.”
10,889 NEW RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES HANDED OVER TO CITIZENS IN HATAY
Minister Kurum highlighted that 10,889 new residences and businesses have already been delivered to rightful owners in Hatay. “Today, we continue to construct 156,000 residences and businesses in various neighborhoods of Antakya, Defne, Iskenderun, Altinözü, Kırıkhan, Reyhanli, and Samandag,” he stated. Kurum also noted the destruction of historical and registered buildings due to the earthquake and pledged to revive Hatay with its historical landmarks. “Our priority is to hand over the shops on Atatürk and Fatih Avenues to their rightful owners by next February and to see the smiles on our citizens’ faces and earn their prayers,” he added.
“DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING OUTSIDE WHAT WE SAY”
Touching on the topic of reserve areas, Minister Kurum stressed, “I would particularly like to underline this: Only residents of these areas will be relocated within the reserve zones. No one from other districts or neighborhoods will be allowed to move here. We want the neighborhood relations to continue as before. Everyone will receive a residence closest to where they lived. We want the old demographic structure to continue and the brotherhood among Hatay residents to persist. Do not believe any statements or words outside of what we say.”