Friday marked the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011. Around the world, people celebrated this special date in various ways. Apart from dozens of couple who tied the knot at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2011, the Turkish government also joined in the celebrations for 11.11.11 with the inauguration of 111 new facilities.
Speaking during a ceremony for the inauguration of 111 facilities in Ankara, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he is happy to present 111 leading investments in the Turkish nation on this auspicious date. “Today is 11.11.2011. I hope these facilities bring good luck,” the prime minister said at a ceremony held at Ankara’s Atatürk Sport Hall.
The facilities include five dams, 48 hydroelectric power plants, six national parks and six city forests, at a cost of more than TL 8 billion.
Later in his Friday speech, Erdoğan thanked and offered his condolences to the family and friends of the Japanese doctor who died in the second earthquake in Van, Turkey, and reminded participants about Turkey’s vulnerability to earthquakes. He said the people are now more aware of the threat of earthquakes and that universities, institutions and NGOs must continue to work together in order to educate people.
Erdoğan noted that the government has been also working on improving urgent help response after earthquakes and is preparing reforms on emergency relief. “As the citizens of this country, we must learn how to live with earthquakes and know what to do in times of disaster,” he said.
He strongly urged people to consider earthquakes and question the safety of the properties they want to buy. “Contractors alone should not be held responsible, as it is also the responsibility of buyers to make sure the houses are built according to regulations,” he said. Erdoğan also mentioned the importance of the government’s urban transformation efforts, which mainly aim to get rid of weak structures and replace them with safer buildings, saying that it must be done with the public’s cooperation.
|
Source : todayszaman.com
Hit : 634
|
