August 08, 2007

Due to incompetence of the local government of Ankara, the nation’s capital, millions of people are without water since August 1. The municipality and mayor did not take into account the effects of water shortages on the water piping system of the city. Mishandling of water shortages caused two major pipe lines to explode. Since August 1, the second largest city in Turkey is without water at the height of summer. Halkevleri, Peoples Houses, a peoples organization protested the water shortages on the first day when the mayor implemented them at the city center and announced that cutting water services to the city was not a solution. Gathering for the second time, again at downtown, the Peoples Houses organized a rally against the water cuts and demanded Mayor Melih Gökçek to resign immediately.

“He is so incompetent, he couldn’t even cut water!”

The Peoples Houses announcement said, “The mayor, Melih Gökçek could not even manage service cuts to water. The cause of water shortage is the irresponsible and random actions of the mayor. But instead of trying to repair the damage he caused by his irresponsible behavior, he is still insisting on more of his incompetent and irresponsible actions…”

“He calls every criticism ideological”
In their explanation of reasons behind the current water service scandal, the Peoples Houses members wrote, “He characterizes every single criticism as being ideological. Instead of listening to the people, scientific organizations, people’s legitimate organizations, he chooses to slug out at the people with his now well known disrespectful attitude and tries to pick an argument.”

The announcement continued, “We are not condemned to either lack of water or such a mayor. We demand an end to water shortages and service cuts that further deteriorate the water infrastructure. If water conservation is required, we would gladly oblige by using less water and playing our part as socially responsible citizens. So, we say, ‘open the water gates, let us manage our water.’ Every move the mayor makes, causes more destruction. He should resign immediately. If he refuses to resign, the appropriate officials should start proceedings to recall him from his office. We also demand the mayor to be tried at a court of law. The destruction and suffering he caused should be brought against him.”

“Epidemics could start”

Speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Consumer Associations, Ali Çetin said due to water service problems, epidemics could start and accused the mayor of causing such risks.

Erkan Sümer, the representative of Health and Social Services Laborers Union also spoke at the event where he stressed that the problem was a local administration issue and was caused by the local government. As well as the ruling Justice and Development Party which is also controlling the local government of the city of Ankara. He also mentioned that either with the water service cuts or with the privatization of natural waters in Turkey, such as one of the largest rivers, Kızılırmak, the society was prone to more health problems in the future.

A resident of Ankara, Altındağ, Hatice Ulupınar said she had to bring water three times a day from a well far from her house. She said this should not be the way to supply water to a family of 6 and she feared of getting sick from the untested water. She accused the officials of hiding the truth and keeping the people uninformed. She also demanded the officials to be tried.

Empty water containers to the government

During the event, people shouted, “Mayor don’t just stand, there, fetch us some water!”, “We want free, healthy water for everyone”, “Mayor resign!”

Peoples Houses members filled empty water containers with their written demands and left them in front of the nation’s capital’s local government building.

Sendika.Org-Ankara
M.B.