Turkish main opposition says quake-hit citizens not to pay for new houses, workplaces

Duvar English

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) vice chair and spokesperson Faik Öztrak has said that the opposition government will not demand any money from earthquake-hit citizens in return for the construction of new houses or workplaces should they come to power in the upcoming elections.

Öztrak also vowed that earthquake victims will not have to pay the principal money or interest payment for their previously received loans from banks if they have either lost their houses or workplaces in the major quakes of Feb. 6.

“We will erase all the principal money and interest payments for the loans received from banks or the Craftman’s Cooperative for all rightsholders whose houses or workplaces have collapsed in the quakes. For the construction of new houses or workplaces, we will not take any payment from the quake-hit citizens,” Öztrak said on March 9, during his party’s Central Executive Board (MYK) press meeting.

He said that if the opposition coalition comes to power, they will make those who “approved the collapsed projects, all those responsible (for the quake destruction)” cover the rebuilding cost. He also said that they will mandate firms working for the rebuilding process to hire the quake-hit victims, bringing a quota. “In the rebuilding process of the quake region, we will make it compulsory for the firms that have received tenders from the state to hire at least 25 percent of their personnel from among the local community,” he said.

Turkey’s southern region was hit by two powerful earthquakes on Feb. 6, one at a magnitude of 7.7 and the other 7.6. Thousands of buildings in ten provinces have been completely demolished or damaged in the quakes and thousands of people have been since living in tent camps or on the streets.