Giresun's Underpass Crisis: Mayor Says 'I Had No Idea'

Giresun Mayor Fuat Köse made a striking statement regarding the controversial underpass project in the city. In an interview with Yeşilgiresun newspaper, he said he heard that the project's tender had been held, but no information was provided to him. This statement caused surprise among political and bureaucratic circles in the city. Mayor Köse also responded to criticisms that he was not transparent during the revision zoning plan process. He stated that those who accused him had not said anything about the underpass project.

Mayor Köse answered two critical questions from News Center Director Cavit Özdemir during a meeting with the Journalists Association board. Özdemir asked about the revision zoning plan and the underpass project. Köse clearly stated that he was told the tender for the underpass project had been made, but he did not know what kind of project would be implemented. This situation revealed a communication gap in the city administration.

The fact that the mayor was unaware of a project expected to ease traffic in the city, even though its tender had been held, raised serious questions in the public. Mayor Köse defended his transparency in the revision zoning plan process. He said they had obtained opinions from all relevant institutions, discussed objections, and provided justifications. He claimed that the uproar was caused by 1100 objections, but those who accused him had not provided any information about the underpass project.

This incident shows that there are two separate tables in Giresun: the revision zoning plan table and the underpass project table. According to the mayor, the first table is open and 1100 objections have been discussed. However, the underpass project table is closed, and the file has not reached him. This raises the question of how a project for the city's main artery could be missing from the mayor's desk.

The people of Giresun want to know what the underpass project is, its route, how it will ease traffic, and how it will affect local businesses. The mayor's statement 'I don't know' highlights a bureaucratic disconnect. While transparency is emphasized, the underpass file is expected to be brought to the table and explained to the public as soon as possible. Otherwise, the city may face a lack of planning and information.