'Responsibility' debate continues: AKP's Şamil Tayyar reacts to Minister Ersoy over 'authority'

78 citizens lost their lives in a fire that broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel, located at the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center.

Following the tragedy, an 'authority' debate began between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the CHP-run Bolu Municipality.

"ALL AUTHORITY BELONGS TO THE MINISTRY"

Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan stated, "The operating authority for tourism is granted by the Ministry of Tourism. All authority belongs to the Ministry. We do not even have the authority to enter the hotel here, go into its kitchen, and inspect it for hygiene," asserting that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is responsible.

"NO INSTITUTION OTHER THAN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN ISSUE A COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE"

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy defended himself, saying, "Whether it is a tourism center or not, the authority for licensing and occupancy of a building does not lie with the Ministry of Culture. If it is within the municipal adjacent area, it lies with the municipality; if it is outside, it lies with the provincial special administration. No institution other than the fire department can issue a fire competency certificate."

ŞAMİL TAYYAR REACTS TO MINISTER ERSOY

While the debate over authority and responsibility between Özcan and Ersoy continues, former AKP deputy Şamil Tayyar also joined the discussion.

Criticizing Minister Ersoy's statements during a live broadcast he attended, Tayyar said, "I watched the Minister and I was saddened. It would have been better if he had never gone on air or spoken at all. He passed the buck to two places. One towards the Ministry of Interior via the Provincial Special Administration, and the other to the Bolu Municipality."

"THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM ISSUES THE OPERATING LICENSE AS A TOURIST FACILITY"

Tayyar continued his remarks as follows:

"He painted a picture as if the Ministry of Tourism has no fault regarding the business that holds a tourism incentive certificate, and that everyone else is to blame. Ahmet Hakan asked him, 'You said you conducted inspections in 2021 and 2024. Who gave the 'suitable' report regarding fire safety in the inspection report? If the Bolu Municipality has no say in this, who gave it?' The Minister said, 'We don't look at that. We assume they have obtained it if they have a business opening license.' The Ministry of Tourism issues the operating license as a tourist facility. In the final approval letter, the Minister did not disclose that the signature was provided by the municipality."

News Source: 12punto