Ankara decision imperils people’s safety
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Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 24, 2009 00:00
ANKARA - The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality has paved the way for gas stations to be built close to residential areas and schools, despite many deaths in the capital city as a result of past fires sparked at illegally constructed filling stations.
Referring to documents disclosed by Oktay Vural of the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, daily Milliyet reported that the municipality has turned the ground plan of a housing area owned by Mustafa Akan, owner of Söğüt Construction, into a commercial area for the construction of a gas station. Söğüt Construction carries out asphalt work for the municipality.
The Environment Ministry responded negatively to the report, saying the change is not in line with the laws, as it would set a precedent for gas stations to be constructed just five meters from homes and 25 meters from areas where schools can be built.
"The municipality has made a decision and endangered people’s lives for profit," Vural said. "The construction works gained momentum ahead of the elections and they are now almost finished."
"Such a project within the city imposes risks [on people’s safety]," he said. "The construction of a high school continues right next to the gas station. In the past, when an explosion at a gas station located within the city killed people, the prime minister said they wouldn’t allow such gas stations anymore in the housing area. But they ignored their promises."
In July 2003, six people died and more than 100 were injured as a result of an explosion at a gas station that was located in a residential area of Ankara. The explosion also caused significant material damage to nearby cars and homes. Existing law says that oil units, including gas stations, must be built at least 50 meters away from hospitals, schools and residential areas.
The Environment Ministry responded negatively to the report, saying the change is not in line with the laws, as it would set a precedent for gas stations to be constructed just five meters from homes and 25 meters from areas where schools can be built.
"The municipality has made a decision and endangered people’s lives for profit," Vural said. "The construction works gained momentum ahead of the elections and they are now almost finished."
"Such a project within the city imposes risks [on people’s safety]," he said. "The construction of a high school continues right next to the gas station. In the past, when an explosion at a gas station located within the city killed people, the prime minister said they wouldn’t allow such gas stations anymore in the housing area. But they ignored their promises."
In July 2003, six people died and more than 100 were injured as a result of an explosion at a gas station that was located in a residential area of Ankara. The explosion also caused significant material damage to nearby cars and homes. Existing law says that oil units, including gas stations, must be built at least 50 meters away from hospitals, schools and residential areas.