CHP's Ağbaba reacts: 'Generational savings are being squandered': They are trying to seize control

In the regions affected by the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the reaction continues among rights holders in the Zaviye neighborhood of Yeşilyurt, Malatya, who were either placed in areas outside where their damaged properties were located or were unable to receive homes in the lotteries held for reserve area projects designed to rebuild and deliver their properties.

While a total of 891 residences were distributed in the Central 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16 projects, which include some parts of the Zaviye neighborhood, 209 earthquake survivors out of 1,100 rights holders were placed in residences in other neighborhoods through a mixed lottery method. While some earthquake survivors were not allocated homes, others were given homes very far from their original floors, facades, and locations.

Evaluating the issue, CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba drew attention to the injustices experienced during the reserve area process, saying, "For example, people's shops on the front facade, on the main street, or on the corner are being moved to a back street. These are, of course, unfair practices. People who invested all their savings from their ancestors and grandparents into their homes and workplaces are being victimized. However, unfortunately, no solution can be found for these objections regarding this issue. What needs to be done here is to perform a correct information analysis for the people," he said.

Stating that expectations in the reserve area have been dashed, Veli Ağbaba said the following:

"Expectations were high in this reserve area. Unfortunately, this expectation backfired. It comes out in another neighborhood. Let's say we understood the reduction in square meters; that is something understandable. But it being in another neighborhood, or being given a back street location when the house was on a corner, are not correct practices. We are following these. We will bring these to the agenda in the Planning and Budget Committee in the coming period. There is not much they can do legally, but people's objections on this matter are high. Those who manage this business, those who do this work, need to listen to these people's objections. They need to be heard. One should not say, 'I did it, it's a done deal.' After all, these people are still trying to continue their lives in the earthquake center despite difficult conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the situation of those people and take it into account. We have taken the necessary initiatives on this matter, and we will continue to do so."

"THERE IS A GREAT GRIEVANCE REGARDING TENANTS"

Stating that tenants in Malatya have been forgotten, Ağbaba said, "There is also the tenant issue in Malatya. There is an understanding as if there are no tenants, as if they are not living there. There is a great grievance regarding tenants. Because people are not rights holders, they cannot be given homes. Rents are high right now. The grievances of those people must definitely be evaluated as well," he said.

"THEY ARE TRYING TO SEIZE MUNICIPALITIES"

Touching upon the CHP's Malatya Provincial Congress process, Veli Ağbaba stated that the provincial congresses are planned to be completed next week and that the grand assembly will be held as of November.

Ağbaba said, "The Republican People's Party is being tried to be disciplined through the judiciary. They are trying to seize the municipalities, they are trying to seize the party. In this sense, all democrats must unite. We invite all democrats to unite under the roof of the Republican People's Party. We also expect those who voted for the Turkey Alliance and the Malatya Alliance that we established on March 31 to our congress tomorrow. I hope we will experience days together in the coming period where we work harder and solve Malatya's problems more," he said.