The 2022st Joining Meeting of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Council in December 1 was held under the chairmanship of Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Seçer. Speaking at the meeting, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer stated that they have been waiting for the signature of the Treasury Minister for months for the foreign loan of the Mersin metro project, which was included in the Presidential investment program, and said, “Will the Minister discipline me? Is this state in accordance with its customs and traditions? Sir, I am a politician. I am not a bureaucrat. I'm not a doorman at all. I don't want anything illegal. I don't want anything I'm not entitled to. What's the reason for not signing this? It is political, this is a hindrance,” he said.
At the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Council meeting, there was a subway debate between the CHP Mayor Vahap Seçer and the MHP council member.
Topkara stated that the Mersin metro cannot be built with own resources, that the project will continue with difficulty and will take a long time. Topkara also brought up the allegation that the Ministry of Treasury and Finance did not approve foreign loans due to the municipality's mistakes in the tender and EIA process.
Responding to the allegations of MHP's Topkara, President Seçer pointed out that the Ministry of Treasury and Finance did not make any explanation as to why foreign loan approval was not given, and said that the Mersin metro project was blocked for political reasons.
“There are obstacles in front of me so that the Mayor does not realize the Metro”
President Seçer read the news bulletin and stated that the criticisms were unfair after the council members said that the questions they asked during the Metro Project visit were not included in the news bulletin. Stating that political obstacles were put in front of the metro to prevent it from being built, President Seçer continued as follows:
“I say very clearly; Metro is necessary for Mersin, it is unnecessary discussion. There are obstacles in front of me so that Mersin Metropolitan Municipality or the Mayor cannot realize this project. I say this clearly,” he said. Reminding that the metro was tendered for 3 billion 300-odd million liras and that the project has now reached at least 7 billion with price differences, President Seçer said, “Didn't we get the 900 million lira borrowing authorization in August 2021? Later that year ended, didn't I bring an additional offer at the beginning of 2022? 'Look, this job is late, it's late. We have to ask for them one after the other, am I not the one who said 'the prices of foreign currency have increased'? Aren't they the ones who say, 'Especially use this?' Now, Mr. Topkara is opposing just to oppose. Do not do this. There is no problem with my debt ratio. I'm screaming from here. You say; 'the state has customs and traditions'. This is not the custom of the state. It is not to subdue the bureaucrat with instructions, continuity in the state is essential. It's not gone, but it definitely needs to be implemented. This is not how it goes. If there is no mechanism controlling each other, if it is not established, there is no sustainability of this business. Appointed minister, you have been elected. AK Party's first years of power; He used this jargon, 'Tell me, for the nation or the state, for the state or for the nation'. Mr. Erdogan used to shout in his speeches; 'An oligarchic bureaucratic structure. We are the chosen 'he would exclaim. Now I am making the same shout.”
“I say send documents, he says 'twit'. Sir, I'm not a doorman or something"
President Seçer, in the continuation of his speech, asked why the Metro Project, which was included in the Presidential Investment Program, is still pending in the Treasury and has not been signed. Seçer says, “Why doesn't he sign? Says; not suitable, debt ratio not suitable. is there anything like that? No. I say send such a document, he says 'twit'. Sir, I'm a politician, I'm not a bureaucrat, I'm not a doorman or anything. The bureaucrat is the government's implementation of the plans and programs of the administration within the framework of the law. I don't want anything illegal. "I don't want anything I don't have a right to," he said.
Noting that the bureaucrats of the State Railways do not say “no” to them in any matter and do not approach them negatively, President Seçer said, “They are discussing the process, trying to solve it technically. This signature has nothing to do with the EIA. The reason for not signing is political. I don't know who orders this. If the minister is doing it in his own head, there is no chance for a bureaucrat to do it. Does politics fit there then? Why are you delaying this project? Last word. You said that this project will not be realized. With this understanding, you cannot give anything to Mersin. Mersin Metropolitan Municipality is an institution with a serious vision. A big province; It pays taxes in the fifth place. It has its port, industrial establishments, tourism, agriculture, everything.” Adding that there is still going back and forth in the subway, President Seçer said, “The point we cannot agree on is this. You are pitying the city. If those who make politics in Ankara were strong, this Mersin would be different, it would come to a different point. Other provinces take the parcel. That is my cry. You're still two back and forth on a subway. This is an obstruction. I say this outright. I am not afraid of anyone. I also give a statement, I tweet, I make the necessary criticism. This is not an appointing authority. The people elect me, I will be accountable to the people. It is my duty to tell the truth. We will finish the metro," he said.
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