Özgür Ferhat raises timber supply issues in Parliament
Özgür Ferhat, a Member of Parliament from the Rodop New Left Party, has submitted a question proposal to the parliament regarding the issues faced in the timber supply process in the Rodop region.
In his inquiry addressed to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ferhat noted, "According to the decision numbered 368351/17-7-2023 taken in 2023, timber was allocated to meet the needs of residents in the municipalities of Yassıköy, Kozlukebir, Gümülcine, and Şapçı in Rodop. However, residents of Arabacıköy, Ayazma, Yassıköy, Büyük Müsellim, and many other villages have not received the allocated timber despite having paid for it. This issue stems from the only access road to the timber cutting area being impassable. Some villagers have had to carry the timber by hand due to unsuitable transportation conditions. Despite numerous complaints made to the Rodop Forestry Department, no interventions have been made to improve the road."
MP Ferhat posed the following questions to the relevant ministry:
- Will the citizens who did not receive timber in 2023 be refunded the €17.50 fee they paid, or is another compensation method being considered?
- Why has no improvement been made to the road providing access to the Dragati area?
- Which institution is responsible for the construction of this road, and which institution will be accountable for resolving the ongoing issues?
- Is there a plan to increase the amount of timber allocated for 2024 and to reinstate the villages excluded from assistance due to fires?
- Is the ministry considering issuing a Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) to increase the allocated timber amount and to include the excluded villages again?
Ferhat emphasized the urgent need to resolve these issues, particularly for citizens living in rural areas who are in dire need.
