Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy answers questions about the fire: 'The debate over authority is now resolved'

Stating that they only have two areas of authority in tourism centers—determining zoning plans and allocating public land for tourism purposes—Minister Ersoy said that after the report issued by the Bolu Fire Department, the hotel did not have the right to withdraw its application.

Explaining that he had waited until now to make a statement because the citizens' pain was still very fresh, Minister Ersoy said he wanted to speak out due to the increase in misinformation.

Stating that the responsibility for the hotel lies with the Provincial Special Administration, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that after the inspection conducted by the Bolu Fire Department, time should have been given to resolve the issues that emerged, and subsequently, they were required to notify the Provincial Special Administration and the Ministry that the requirements had not been met.

Minister Ersoy stated that the municipality should not have approved the small space in front of the hotel, calling it a problematic transaction. Ersoy added, "A license cannot be granted to a business that has such flaws, where one must pass through the building to access it."

This is the second mistake in a row! How can that place be safe when the hotel itself is at risk?

"THE DEBATE OVER AUTHORITY IS NOW RESOLVED"

All businesses in Kartalkaya have received their fire safety certificates from the Bolu Fire Department; they are already required to do so. The Bolu Fire Department, which issues the certificate of competence, is also responsible for inspecting them.

Issuing the certificate of competence shows that they are the authority in that region. Thus, the debate over authority is resolved.

If the hotel does not want to let them in for inspection, the fire department applies to the Provincial Special Administration and reports that it is facing obstruction; following this, the Provincial Special Administration can revoke the business's permit.

A debate was stirred up over the sustainability certificate, but that document has no connection to the fire. Whether its validity is expiring or it is issued by the ministry has nothing to do with the fire.

'PASSED MINISTRY INSPECTION' STATEMENT

The issues I inspect are related to my tourism certificate, the parts necessary for my business license... But before I go for this inspection, I look at the file. Is there a valid business license? If there is, I send the inspector. The workplace opening and operating license was updated in 2015, and this was obtained from the Provincial Special Administration.

Inspections regarding fire safety are not under the control of the ministry; there are many details, and these must be carried out by fire departments.

PENALTIES TO BE IMPOSED

Depending on the decisions that emerge from here, we may need to make changes to the regulations. Experts on the subject will speak and debate during the trial process. As a result, those responsible must definitely be punished, and this process must be followed correctly.

ALLEGATION THAT THE AKP MUNICIPALITY ISSUED THE LICENSE

It is said that it has been operating to this day with the license it received from the AKP municipality in 2007, but changes were made to the hotel from time to time and business licenses were renewed. What does this mean? It means that approval was already obtained from the fire department while the licenses were being renewed...