ELAZIG GUNISIGI NEWSPAPER – April 2011
LET THE PROJECTS SPEAK...
Elections are currently the most significant agenda item in the country. During this period, when candidates have not yet been determined, it is possible to hear bold comments about candidates and election results from anyone you meet. Unfortunately, the election process seems to be a stagnant and unproductive time frame.
As a nation, we can take advantage of this period. Especially after the candidates are announced, everyone who will vote has a great responsibility. I believe it is time to demand concrete projects for our city and country. For this purpose, candidates should be asked to make statements about their projects.
Being honest, hardworking, and enterprising are not extra qualities—they are basic characteristics that should be found in any representative. Along with these, candidates should have a research-oriented approach, the ability to identify issues, and a team capable of producing projects.
Saying "I will build a cable car from Elazığ to Harput" is not presenting a project. The cost must be calculated, and the financial resources must be identified. If every idea that comes to mind is considered a project, we will only deceive ourselves.
The issue is not about who will solve a problem related to Elazığ, but about how we will work together, collectively, to solve it. Today, Gazi Street can barely accommodate car traffic, let alone pedestrian traffic. Unfortunately, this is not on anyone's agenda. This is not an issue that the local administration can solve alone. This may actually be a part of urban transformation.
For years, we have not appreciated the value of Nailbey and Kültür neighborhoods. Yes, the buildings were in a row, but the streets were drawn like with a ruler—straight and functional. In the new settlement areas, finding a straight street is quite difficult. I don't even need to mention areas where apartments are tightly packed. However, we have no demands regarding urban planning regulations.
We repeatedly express the inadequate earthquake resistance of Elazığ's existing building stock. It seems that earthquake-related work will only be done when damage occurs. Continuing to behave as if we don't know that Elazığ is constantly at risk does not align with a proper service approach.
Spring has come, and with the rain, our streets once again turn into rivers, but apparently, this doesn't bother us.
How much promotion is being done for Elazığ, a city of culture and tourism? Forget about foreign tourists—are we even able to bring domestic tourists to Elazığ? How much are we benefiting from the tourism potential of a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides? Why are we not talking about the accessibility of Hazar Baba from Nemrut? Why is there still no ferry for sightseeing on Lake Hazar?
Elazığ needs projects in social, cultural, and economic terms. Elections are an important opportunity, a significant advantage. Voting is a crucial element that has no monetary equivalent. This advantage, which is unique to election periods, should be used wisely.
If we want a walkable Gazi Street, streets that are not rivers during rain, an earthquake-resistant Elazığ, a Metropolitan Elazığ, a tourist city Elazığ, and a cultural and economic capital of Elazığ, LET THE PROJECTS SPEAK...