Reaction to TOKİ from earthquake-affected citizens in Malatya: 'There is no natural gas, the roads are not completed'

The deficiencies in 8 blocks and 160 flats built by TOKİ and Emlak Konut after the earthquakes of February 6, 2023 in Dilek District of Yeşilyurt district caused reactions. Earthquake victims who were preparing to settle in their homes stated that they suffered due to the lack of natural gas infrastructure, incomplete roads and the central coal-fired heating system, and that they would not accept the homes unless the deficiencies were corrected.

The meeting organized by Emlak Konut officials to elect managers for 8 blocks witnessed the reaction of the citizens. The beneficiaries who attended the meeting opposed the idea of ​​establishing management without solving the basic infrastructure problems of the houses.

Citizens who lost their homes in the earthquake and have been waiting for a long time to get their new homes stated that they were offered a central coal heating system, but they did not accept this system. Earthquake victims, who wanted the natural gas and road problems to be solved, demanded concrete steps from the authorities.

“THE NATURAL GAS LINE IS ONE KILOMETER AWAY BUT THERE IS NO ROAD”

Explaining that there is a natural gas line approximately one kilometer from the residences, citizens claimed that the natural gas connection could not be made due to the lack of an official road. Reacting to the situation, a rights holder expressed their grievance with the following words:

"If necessary, we will go to TOKİ, to the President. The natural gas line is one kilometer away from here, but natural gas cannot be brought because there is no official road. Everyone is already in a difficult situation, everyone is a victim. We are earthquake victims, our houses have been destroyed. Now, when we say we will have our new homes, we encounter other problems. We are calling out to the authorities, let them bring our natural gas and build our roads as soon as possible. How will we live in these houses?"

“WE ARE TOLD 'TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF'”

Stating that approximately 500 people will live in the residences, a citizen said, "There are 8 blocks here, hundreds of people will live. Approximately 500 people will settle in these residences. We have neither roads nor natural gas. They tell us 'burn coal'. How will we burn coal, how will we heat? These houses were built for earthquake victims, but how will we receive them with so many shortages? We are told 'take care of yourself'. We do not accept this. If necessary, we will take action and make our voices heard." "We will meet with the authorities and seek our rights," he said.

“YOU WILL ELECT MANAGERS AND LEAVE US TO OUR FATE”

Citizens who opposed the selection of managers without resolving infrastructure problems reacted to Emlak Konut officials at the meeting. Another beneficiary argued that creating a management before the deficiencies of the houses are completed will put the responsibility on the citizens and said, "Why do we elect managers before our deficiencies are completed? You will elect the managers and leave us to our fate. Afterwards, how will we have the natural gas removed, how will we cover the cost of this? How will we handle this burden? We already lost everything in the earthquake. Now we do not want to deal with these problems."