Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said that in Ankara there are no water problems. Minister Yumaklı said, “There is a problem and incompetence in Ankara that cannot transport water to fountains.”
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made statements regarding the agenda in the program he attended on CNN Türk. Minister Yumaklı also mentioned the problem of water and power outages in Ankara.
Stating that the water problem in Ankara is not caused by drought and the existing water resources cannot be managed, Yumaklı said, “People do not have water because of very simple things. There is no water problem in Ankara, the problem in Ankara is not a problem of drought, the problem is the inability to provide available water to the people of Ankara.”
“WHAT DOES DSI DO AND WHAT DOES THE CITY DO?”
“What does DSI do, what does the city government do?” Responding to the question that the obligation and responsibility to build dams lies with the municipalities, Yumaklı said, “The construction of dams falls under the jurisdiction of the DSI. The main task does not belong to the DSI. If the municipalities request a project/dam from the DSI, then the DSI is allowed to do it. When the municipality requests a dam, it is considered and a study is done together. Once the protocol is implemented, the municipality clears it.” payment according to the payment plan.”
Minister Yumaklı said: “The lack of drinking water is unacceptable” and continued: “This is not only a priority for the Ministry and DSI but also for Türkiye. You cannot say that you do not recognize this. Duties, powers and responsibilities also stem from these priorities. You will act according to this order of priority.”
“OUR PRESIDENT SOLVED THE WATER PROBLEM DURING THAT PERIOD”
Noting that many dams were built in the city during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's term as mayor of Istanbul, Minister Yumaklı said, “We roamed all over Istanbul looking for water containers. Our president built the Büyükdere, Sultanbahçedere, Kuzludere, Düzdere, Kazandere and Elmalıdere administration dams when he was mayor.” He built these dams between 1995 and 1995.” 1998. These dams were used to solve the water problem at that time.” “It is of great importance. He built other major dams during his tenure as Prime Minister. He built all these dams with the resources of Istanbul.”
Minister Yumaklı cited the Kavşakkaya Dam built by ASKİ in Ankara in 2007, the Yuvacık Dam built in Kocaeli in 1998 and the Namazgah Dam built in 2014 in Kocaeli as examples of dams built by municipal authorities. Yumaklı said, “Municipal governments have done these things. It is irresponsible to say 'I am not responsible' when you cannot provide services.”
“CITIZEN IS BACK THIRTY FOR VERY SIMPLE THINGS IN ANKARA”
Minister Yumaklı said the following about the water issue in Ankara:
“Water from the three foundations, the Çamlıdere Dam line, the Kurtboğazı line and the Kesikköprü line, is distributed to Ankara. Municipalities need to pay attention to several issues, taking into account the drought. They should use drinking water, as long as the balance is maintained. In other words, don't take more from one line and less from the other. A lot of water has been withdrawn from Çamlıdere and the level has decreased. due to evaporation. To avoid problems with clear water in summer, we say don't take water in winter from where you should take it in summer. The amount of water in the dam decreases and the pressure disappears. First, they blame DSI and then install the pumping system.
CALL THE MAYOR
Stating that he wanted to appeal to all mayors, Minister Yumaklı said, “Yes, there is a drought. There may be problems in the coming days. Take precautions now. Don't act slowly like Ankara.”
WHAT DOES MANSUR YAVAŞ SAY?
Stating that Ankara is experiencing the driest period in its history, Yavaş said, “As the population increases, the amount of water reaching the dams decreases. In 1994, the annual per capita water flow in Ankara was 41 cubic meters. By 2025, this figure decreased to 19 cubic meters.”
Responding to criticism about water outages in the city, Yavaş said, “Currently, water is flowing from all taps in Ankara. There has not been a single water outage. What is the fuss? This smear campaign must have a purpose. We know what that purpose is.”
Yavaş also stated that the State Directorate of Hydraulic Works (DSİ) had no response to the city's requests regarding water resources.
