Murat Kurum's harsh reaction to opportunistic firm: 'Shut it down'

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum reacted to the excessive rise in concrete prices during a meeting in Malatya where he evaluated post-earthquake construction efforts. Regarding the concrete being sold for 5,000 liras per cubic meter, Minister Kurum stated, 'This price is unacceptable. There can be no such opportunism.'

Speaking at the meeting held at the Malatya Metropolitan Municipality, Kurum stated that the concrete price offered by a firm in the region was 'too high' and expressed the following:

'How can concrete be 5,000 TL? If they are going to sell concrete at this price, we will build with steel. Solve this. There are those who pour concrete for a normal price of 1,800 TL. Let's say 2,200 TL is normal. Even 2,500 TL for a distant location. But it cannot be 5,000 TL. If it is 5,000 TL, we will switch to steel and they won't be able to pour a single cubic meter of concrete.'

'LET'S RESOLVE THIS WITHIN 1 WEEK'

Kurum stated to Malatya Governor Yavuz that if the firm does not lower its prices, it should be shut down. Noting that there is opportunism in the earthquake zone, Kurum emphasized that prices must be brought under control.

Underlining that construction costs in the region must decrease, Kurum used the following expressions:

'I will not pay more than 3,000 TL for concrete there. If you solve it so it does not exceed 3,000, you solve it; if you don't, I will switch to steel. They will go and engage in opportunism during an earthquake; there is no such thing. If they are pouring concrete for 5,000 liras like that, shut it down. Let's resolve this within 1 week.'

Kurum stated that concrete prices should not exceed 3,000 liras, announcing that otherwise, they would turn to alternative solutions.