Home > Current Affairs News > Cemil Tugay had reacted by saying 'I could not reach the Minister by phone': He explained what happened afterwards

Cemil Tugay had reacted by saying 'I could not reach the Minister by phone': He explained what happened afterwards

While allegations were being made that the response to the fires in İzmir was insufficient, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tugay had reacted in a statement by saying he could not reach Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı by phone. Tugay has now made a statement regarding what happened afterwards.

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While efforts are underway to bring the fires that have been raging for days in many parts of Turkey under control, tensions and communication gaps can occasionally occur between state levels. Most recently, a statement by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tugay, who is fighting the fires in İzmir, regarding Minister of Forestry Yumaklı had come to the agenda.

As the fire that broke out in the forest area on Yamanlar Mountain in the Karşıyaka district of İzmir continued for its second day, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay connected to the Gündem Özel program with Oya Çebi by phone to provide information on the latest situation.

STATEMENT FROM TUGAY

Regarding the fact that CHP Chairman Özgür Özel stated that Cemil Tugay was trying to reach Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı while the forest fire was ongoing, and Minister Yumaklı's subsequent statement, "The information that the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor could not reach me is incorrect. I was washing my face in that heat, I called him back immediately but could not reach him," Tugay made a statement.

Highlights from Cemil Tugay's statements:

WHAT DID HE DISCUSS WITH ÖZGÜR ÖZEL?

At the minutes when our Chairman said, 'Cemil Tugay is trying to reach the Minister of Forestry,' I was indeed trying to reach him, but it happened in such a timeframe: Normally, we carried out our work here in communication with the governorship and the General Directorate of Forestry. I did not make an effort to call the Minister. When our Chairman called me in the evening to get information, I told him that I found the aerial operations insufficient.

"I COULD NOT REACH THE MINISTER BECAUSE HE WAS ON A PLANE"

When our Chairman said I should call the Minister, I called, but I could not reach him. I learned later that the Minister was on a plane, that is why I could not reach him. I could not reach the Minister for a while. I learned later that he was on a plane at that time. I told our Chairman when he called for the second time, that is why such an expression emerged.

"WE SPOKE WITH THE MINISTER LATER"

Then I called, his assistant answered and stated that he was not available. Then, when the Minister returned the call, a conversation was held. The honorable Minister complained to me, saying, 'Why can't you reach me?' I explained the situation to him as well. I explained my concerns, that is all there is to it.