Earthquake survivors were not moving into their homes: CHP's Ağbaba speaks to 12punto with a 'transformation on-site' proposal

Hikmet Eren ÇELENK/ 12punto.com.tr EXCLUSIVE

Following reports that earthquake survivors in Malatya did not want to move into their newly built homes, 12punto's coverage became a major topic of discussion.

12punto's investigation revealed that the reasons survivors were not moving into their homes included the loss of social assistance, inadequate infrastructure, and financial hardship.

You can read the details of our report, “Malatya is left orphaned again... 12punto investigates: Why don't earthquake survivors want to move into TOKİ homes?” by clicking here.

Following our report, “Malatya is left orphaned again,” CHP Malatya MP Veli Ağbaba spoke to 12punto and outlined his proposed solutions to the problems faced by the earthquake survivors. 

‘NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO TOKİ AND PEOPLE WANT TRANSFORMATION ON-SITE’

Pointing to transformation on-site as the core solution to the problems faced by earthquake survivors, Veli Ağbaba said:

“Transformation on-site must be accelerated as soon as possible. Transformation on-site is not being done at all in Malatya. The city's unique sociological structure is being destroyed. Not everyone is going to TOKİ, and people want transformation on-site. Transformation on-site is something that will also provide an advantage to the state. In places where TOKİ builds, there is no infrastructure, no mosque, no school, no water. I believe all these problems will be resolved through transformation on-site.”

‘UNCERTAINTIES MUST BE ELIMINATED’

Noting that reserve area activities must also gain momentum, Ağbaba stated, “Transformation on-site must be accelerated and put into operation as soon as possible. Even though 18 months have passed since the earthquake, not much progress has been made. The figure announced last year was 1.5 billion with two installments. The loss of value of money due to inflation has had a very negative impact. These funds need to be distributed as soon as possible. Transformation on-site needs to begin. Malatya has been declared a reserve area. The reserve areas must be completed as soon as possible. Uncertainties must be eliminated, and people's trust must be rebuilt,” he said. 

WHAT IS THIS TRANSFORMATION ON-SITE?

12punto investigated the ‘Transformation On-Site’ project, which Veli Ağbaba pointed to as a solution to the problems.

On July 17, 2023, the then-Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Mehmet Özhaseki, attended the opening of the ‘Transformation On-Site’ office and the groundbreaking ceremony for 464 urban transformation residences as part of the ‘Transformation On-Site’ project. Speaking at the ceremony held in Hatay, Özhaseki described the efforts made to revive the earthquake region and added: 

“Around 850 thousand independent units will be built. It is very easy to say 850 thousand independent units. It means almost 6 new cities will be built. These are not easy tasks.” 

Providing information about the details of the Transformation On-Site project, Minister Özhaseki said, "For residences, we will continue to provide a 500 thousand lira grant and a 500 thousand lira loan for 100 square meters gross. If it is larger than 100 square meters, we will continue to provide loans up to 700 thousand lira, and if it is larger than 150 square meters, up to 800 thousand lira. For workplaces, we will continue to provide a 250 thousand lira grant and loans starting from 250 thousand up to 500 thousand lira. The repayment period for the loan is 10 years with zero interest, with the first 2 years being interest-free. It will be an average monthly repayment of almost 3 thousand lira,” he said.