Residents of Samsun resist Cengiz Holding's coastal plunder

Cengiz Holding, which has destroyed forests and olive groves for the sake of mining projects and is known for its proximity to the AKP government, has now turned its route to the Black Sea coast. An "EIA positive" decision has been issued for an additional landfill area planned to be constructed through Eti Bakır AŞ on the coastline in the Tekkeköy district of Samsun. The local people rebelled against the decision.

Residents of Samsun came together in a protest yesterday to object to the project. According to a report by Sözcü, Adnan Korkmaz, spokesperson for the Samsun Environmental Platform (SAMÇEP), who read the press statement, stated, "This project will permanently open the city's coast to industry."

"THE PROJECT IS CONTRARY TO THE COASTAL LAW"

Korkmaz emphasized that not only the environment but also public health is under serious threat in the planned landfill area. In his statement, he said, "It is planned to build 10 warehouses on the planned landfill area, including a copper concentrate storage area, acid storage tanks, fertilizer warehouse, phosphate warehouse, silica storage area, pyrite warehouse, phosphoric acid, scrap, semi-finished product, and spare parts warehouses; these structures will be placed on a landfill area of 807 thousand 500 cubic meters."

Stating that the plan in question is unlawful, Korkmaz highlighted the legal violation by saying, "The project is contrary to the Coastal Law. While Article 6 of the Coastal Law No. 3621 contains the provision that 'coasts are open to everyone's equal and free use,' Article 7 mandates that coasts be used for the public interest."

Stating that an area the size of approximately 25 football fields is planned to be closed to the public for industrial use, Korkmaz said this situation is "contrary to Article 43 of the Constitution."

"THOSE WHO CANNOT BUILD A ROAD OVER THE SEA CANNOT BUILD A CHEMICAL WAREHOUSE EITHER"

Although Eti Bakır, which wants to implement the project, argues that the landfill process is safe, the people of Samsun do not agree. Reminding that Cengiz Holding, which previously built the Black Sea Coastal Road by filling in the sea, failed in that project, the local people reacted with the words, "Those who cannot build a road by filling the sea cannot build a chemical landfill area."

SAMÇEP Spokesperson Korkmaz also drew attention to these concerns. He said, "The EIA report reveals the dangers itself. It is stated that dangerous chemicals such as phosphoric and sulfuric acid will be stored. Considering sea currents, soil permeability, and the earthquake risk of the region, the adequacy of the measures is scientifically uncertain."

News Source: 12punto