Statements by Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum responded to the recent statements of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Regarding the accusations of partisanship made by İmamoğlu about them, Minister Kurum said, “The last person who would accuse us of partisanship is Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu. He is someone who has shown all of Turkey how to be partisan since the moment he took office. Let them look in the mirror; they will see clearly how to be partisan.”
Minister Kurum stated that he had a meeting with İmamoğlu today and said, “They requested a meeting about what needs to be done regarding Istanbul. I expressed that I would be happy to do so. However, he is acting as if he was not the one who reached me on the phone today.”
Mucilage Control and Warnings
Minister Kurum also issued warnings to mayors who do not comply with the action plan to combat mucilage. The Minister said, “The protocols are not being followed, fulfill your duties,” and emphasized his determination on this issue.
Bottom Mud Cleaning Project
Minister Murat Kurum made examinations regarding the bottom mud cleaning project carried out in the Gulf of Izmit. In his statement here, he said that as the Ministry, they are carrying out the most comprehensive bottom mud cleaning in history. Stating that an area of 570 thousand square meters has been cleaned so far, Minister Kurum stated that 33 million cubic meters of bottom mud will be removed from the Gulf of Izmit with the completion of the project. “When we clean our gulf of bottom mud; the amount of oxygen there will increase. “In this way, fish that left here due to bottom mud will return to their natural habitats and their populations will increase,” he said.
Mucilage Problem in the Marmara Sea
Minister Kurum, who stated that they also showed the same sensitivity in the Gulf of İzmit regarding the mucilage problem in the Marmara Sea, emphasized that municipalities other than Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality did not fulfill their responsibilities in combating mucilage. Reminding that they initiated the most extensive maritime mobilization in Turkey during the period when the mucilage problem was experienced, Kurum stated that while cleaning was carried out with marine vehicles, the Marmara Sea Protection Action Plan was also created with scientists. “Thanks to this, the deterioration in the Marmara Sea has been stopped,” he said.
İmamoğlu’s Accusations of Partisanship
Minister Murat Kurum responded to the accusations of partisanship by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, saying, “The last person who would accuse us of partisanship is Mr. İmamoğlu. He has shown all of Turkey how partisanship is done since the moment he took office. “He is the one who promised not to lay off anyone in the election campaign squares, and then left tens of thousands of people unemployed.”
Request for Meeting with İmamoğlu
Minister Kurum, who noted that İmamoğlu called him today and requested a meeting regarding Istanbul, said, “I expressed that I would be happy to do so. However, he is acting as if he was not the person who conveyed his problems when I called him before. Kurum continued his words by saying, “First, you need to be sincere. You should tell the truth to your people. If there is a mistake, you can express it. However, if you are not sincere in the works you have bound to the protocol, if you do not fulfill your obligations, then we will question your sincerity.”
Minister Kurum said, “Therefore, our advice to them is to focus on work as soon as possible. Our nation expects work from us. While Istanbul has an earthquake problem and environmental problems, they also need to do what is necessary regarding mucilage. “Those who know how to show up in Paris and Rome need to deal with Istanbul’s problems and show the necessary will to solve our nation’s problems.”
