Özçınar: We Aim to Reduce Güzelyurt’s Energy Consumption by 50%

Speaking as a guest on Kıbrıs Postası, Güzelyurt Mayor Mahmut Özçınar made statements on current issues and the municipality’s work. Highlighting the importance of cooperation among municipalities, Özçınar said they aimed to develop a stronger approach to joint action in the coming period.

Noting that responsibilities had been distributed under the umbrella of the Union of Municipalities, Özçınar said municipalities also needed to pursue joint efforts internationally and take significant steps together. He stressed that the priority agenda for municipalities should include the proper and efficient use of water, recycling, green energy and energy efficiency.

AIMING TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY 50%

Özçınar said Güzelyurt Municipality was carrying out work to reduce water consumption and was also developing projects in recycling and green energy.

Drawing attention to greywater applications, Özçınar said they aimed to recycle water flowing into the stream in Güzelyurt and make it available for irrigation.

Stating that reducing energy consumption was one of the municipality’s priorities, Özçınar noted that Güzelyurt was among the municipalities with the highest energy consumption relative to its population. He said they aimed to reduce this consumption by 50% and channel the approximately 15 million TL in savings into new investments.

Özçınar said a tender for the project would be launched this month, with signatures expected to be finalised in February. He added that they aimed to integrate the system into municipal facilities by the end of the year. The project is worth approximately 500,000 euros, he said.

COOPERATION BETWEEN MUNICIPALITIES AND RECYCLING

Referring to the cooperation with Famagusta, Özçınar said the partnership had been shaped in line with the country’s interests and would help generate significant resources in the field of recycling.

Özçınar said one of the most important items on municipalities’ agendas as they approach 2030 should be the regular disposal of solid waste and the generation of green energy from this process. He noted, however, that the desired level of progress had not yet been achieved.

Pointing out that sewage problems needed to be addressed in settlements with populations exceeding 2,000, Özçınar said municipalities should first fulfil their responsibilities under Municipalities Law No. 51/95. Other services, he added, should be implemented in line with the availability of existing resources.

Stating that Güzelyurt was in an advantageous position in terms of sewage infrastructure, Özçınar said the existing system had the capacity to accommodate an additional volume equal to its current capacity. He noted that the necessary steps on sewage infrastructure had been taken on time in the past, adding that they now aimed to further develop the infrastructure through applications such as greywater recycling and solar energy.

“WE MUST LEARN TO BE GOVERNED WITH A SINGLE AUTHORITY ON THIS ISLAND”

Emphasising that joint action by municipalities was important for reducing costs and delivering services more efficiently, Özçınar said they needed to adopt a business-oriented approach.

Stating that the world now needed to take steps towards greater unity, Özçınar said: “We must learn to be governed with a single authority on this island. This is very important.”

Noting that Kocaeli and the TRNC were similar in terms of scale, Özçınar highlighted the importance of joint action in water management and municipal services.

Özçınar said Güzelyurt Municipality had benefited from significant resources through European Union projects, stressing that municipalities needed to fulfil their responsibilities fully to ensure projects were implemented. He noted that Güzelyurt Municipality was among those receiving the largest amount of funding after Nicosia.

However, Özçınar said the municipality faced a disadvantage in terms of sewage-related expenses, adding that central governments should support municipalities in this area but that sufficient assistance had not been provided.

WE WANT TO MAKE GÜZELYURT AN ATTRACTIVE CITY FOR STUDENTS

Özçınar said they wanted to increase Güzelyurt’s population and make the city more attractive, noting that providing water at more affordable prices was part of this objective.

Stating that they particularly wanted to attract students to Güzelyurt, Özçınar said they aimed to create a city that was safe, free from traffic problems, offered more social activities and provided improved accommodation facilities.

Özçınar announced that they would establish a water sports club, aiming for the club to develop international connections and bring athletes together on the Güzelyurt coast. He said the first event was planned for April or May 2027, adding that the municipality would cover all expenses for the first group if necessary.

Özçınar said work was also under way to meet the accommodation needs of those visiting Güzelyurt, referring to plans for a municipal hotel and living centre. He said they aimed to establish an initial capacity of 50 people at the living centre and increase it to 100, thereby helping to meet accommodation needs.

“OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT THE COASTLINE”

Emphasising that municipalities should take responsibility for protecting and developing coastal areas, Özçınar also referred to the Prime Minister’s statements on ensuring public access to the coastline.

Özçınar said all municipalities should set the goal of securing access to coastal areas, adding: “Our mission is to protect the coastline. Coastal areas and beaches are the responsibility of municipalities. The central administration should not create difficulties for municipalities.”

He said municipalities should be given the opportunity to protect coastal areas and make them accessible to the public.

“CYPRUS HISTORY MUSEUM TO OPEN ON AUGUST 8, 2027”

Özçınar also discussed cultural and historical projects being carried out in Güzelyurt, providing information about the Cyprus History Museum project.

Describing the killing of Cengiz Topel as a war crime, Özçınar said the museum would also highlight the principle that a prisoner of war must not be killed.

Stating that the museum would present the history of Cyprus and the events that had taken place on the island in an entirely fact-based manner, free from racism, Özçınar said archival materials would also be incorporated into the project.

Özçınar said the Mayor of Zeytinburnu had contributed to the project, stressing that no mistakes should be made in preparing the museum, as this could otherwise damage its spirit.

Özçınar said they aimed to complete the museum’s interior arrangements this month and announced that they planned to bring the Cyprus History Museum to life on August 8, 2027.

ART GALLERY AND CERAMICS WORKSHOP PLANNED FOR GÜZELYURT

Sharing his other goals in culture and the arts, Özçınar said they planned to establish a contemporary art gallery in Güzelyurt.

He said the project would also include a museum shop and a ceramics workshop, adding that they wanted to create a space where students and residents could receive training, have coffee, read books and attend talks.

Özçınar also noted that they were working on a special project with author Eralp Adanır and planned to organise book-promotion events.

“EVERYTHING HAS AN END; THIS IS A RELAY RACE”

Commenting on how residents of Güzelyurt viewed him, Özçınar said he was pleased with the expressions, smiles and greetings he received from people on the streets. He said he did not believe the public had a negative attitude towards him. Nevertheless, he stressed that the public’s decision at the elections would be decisive and that everyone should respect it.

Addressing whether he would run for office again, Özçınar emphasised that he would not put pressure on his party over his candidacy.

“Talking about the end means losing motivation. We cannot make that decision in advance. I will not pressure my party to nominate me. If the public continues to have confidence in us and the party makes that decision, and if there has been no negative reaction from the public, we will continue. Everything has an end. This is a relay race, governed by rules. The circumstances will determine when the flag is handed over. We can comfortably assess that when the time comes,” Özçınar said.

Mahmut Özçınar said the municipality’s goals for the coming period included not only infrastructure investments but also energy efficiency, environmental protection, social projects for students, and cultural and artistic initiatives. He added that they aimed to implement projects that would contribute to Güzelyurt’s development.