Solving the water problem is not the DSI's duty: Erdogan targets CHP municipalities again

Speaking in Marmaris, AKP President Erdogan claimed, "Solving the water problem is not the duty of the DSI. It is the duty of metropolitan municipalities." Erdogan said, "Why doesn't Muğla Metropolitan Municipality solve the water problem? The same situation existed in Van. When Veysel Bey was minister, we solved Van's water problem with the DSI."

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended his party's Provincial Congress in Muğla.

After the congress, Erdogan met with non-governmental organizations, opinion leaders, and village heads (muhtars) in Marmaris, where he delivered a speech.

Targeting CHP municipalities, Erdogan used the phrase, "Solving the water problem is not the job of the DSI, but of the metropolitan municipalities."

“MUĞLA UNFORTUNATELY DOES NOT RECEIVE THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES IN TERMS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT”

"Muğla is truly a city that captivates people. Especially in recent years, Muğla has been in a major breakthrough in every field," said Erdogan, continuing as follows:

"So much so that food products produced in Muğla's greenhouses and processed and packaged in its facilities are sent to all corners of the world," said Erdogan, adding that tourists from all over the world come to Muğla's natural wonder bays, villages, and facilities. At the same time, Muğla is a place that connects the Mediterranean with the Aegean and Central Anatolia, and it is a place that decorates the dreams of every individual in our country. However, despite all these advantages, Muğla unfortunately does not receive the attention it deserves in terms of local government.

The opposition's indifferent attitude toward political issues also permeates issues related to the local governments in the cities they manage. They have no concern for solving problems or eliminating the people's grievances. If they devoted the energy they spend on creating polemics and excuses to serving the cities, believe me, our cities would be in a very different place. But we do not see any sign of change in this regard."

“MANY DISTRICTS OF MUĞLA ARE EXPERIENCING DRINKING WATER SHORTAGES”

Stating that Bodrum hosts approximately 1.5 million guests every year, President Erdogan used the following expressions:

"As our country's goals in tourism grow, the number of domestic and foreign visitors coming here naturally increases. As you know, our 2024 target in tourism is 60 million visitors. While we are stepping on the gas in tourism, we see a complete inertia, even an indifference bordering on sabotage, on the part of local governments. They earn significant economic income from tourism, but when it comes to infrastructure and construction investments, they do not take any steps. For example, you are experiencing this in many districts of Muğla, especially Bodrum. I consider myself a resident of Muğla as well. Many districts of Muğla are experiencing drinking water shortages. In this century, in this day and age.

However, those whose duty it is to solve the drinking water problem are ignoring and turning a deaf ear to the issue. As a brother of yours who has served as the mayor of a city like Istanbul, and moreover, you know, I took over an Istanbul that was experiencing garbage, potholes, mud, and water shortages. And we wiped out all those problems there within a year. Now, unfortunately, does the same situation exist in Muğla? It does. The same applies to the Gulf of Izmir, where almost no living thing exists due to pollution. There, too, there is a strange mentality trying to legitimize not serving Izmir through a lifestyle argument. Instead of distinguishing themselves with a policy of works and services, they try to cover up their incompetence by fueling fears and practicing ideological municipalism. We, on the other hand, are in pursuit of being a remedy for troubles and eliminating grievances."

“SOLVING THE WATER PROBLEM IS NOT THE DSI'S JOB, BUT THE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITIES'”

Arguing that it is not the DSI's duty to solve the water problem, Erdogan noted the following:

"Solving the water problem in metropolitan cities is the duty of metropolitan municipalities. I say this because I have experienced the problem. We took over Istanbul from water shortages and solved Istanbul's water problem in a short time. Now look at the CHP's metropolitan municipalities. Have they solved these problems, are they solving them? Do they have such a concern? Muğla Metropolitan, why is the water problem in Muğla not solved? Why are no steps taken in this regard? I am moving past this. The same situation existed in Van. In Van, when Veysel Bey was minister, we saw that Van unfortunately could not solve its water problem. Then I told Veysel Bey that those living there are our people. Make the investment and let's solve Van's water problem with the DSI. And we solved Van's water problem with the State Hydraulic Works at that time.

Just as we have reached these days by listening to our nation for 22 years, we have rolled up our sleeves to solve the drinking water problems of Muğla and Bodrum. With our Sandras drinking water project, which we have included in the investment program, we will hopefully meet the drinking water needs of the Muğla City Center. With the project, which has a total cost of 7.6 billion liras, we will commission 7.32 million cubic meters of annual drinking water storage, a treatment plant with a daily capacity of 45 thousand cubic meters, and a total of 80 kilometers of transmission line, 12.3 kilometers of which is a tunnel. We are starting the project work for the Bodrum dam next year."