A legend man

A man was sitting behind the desk with smiling face and warm welcome.  Tahir Akyurek has been the mayor of Konya since 2004. He looks smart within dress suit. His table full of documents and constantly door was being knocked by a people who needs help or for official works.

Finally the door is closed for interviewing. He was humble and very polite while he was talking. He got 63% of the vote in the 2004 local government elections and become the mayor of Konya since then.

Akyurek was born 1959 in Derebucak in Turkey. He is married and has three children. He is a Turkish Politician of the Justice and Development Party.

He graduated from Ankara University as a lawyer. After graduating he started working as a lawyer at Bag-kur Konya Provincial Directorate and he also worked as a general Secretary at Konya Trade Union.

Akyurek, “Since 2004 that we came to the office as a mayor we have made significant investment. We had a very successful period.  Some of them are Mevlana Culturel Centre and generating electricity from waste system. And we also have built new roads and improve roundabout system. Interchanges that we have built help speed up the flowing of traffic,” said.

“Konya is the first city in Anatolia who uses the tramway.  Tramway has served to people since 1992. Addionally, we have built 3,5km rail line to the existed line that has made the total line length 22,5km in 2007. Around 250,000 people have been using these facilities a day,” he added.

New projects

The mayor gives the good news of new projects for the people of Konya.

Akyurek said: “I hope, very soon, we are going to start Konya underground that it has become necessary for the people. We also plan to buy new metro bus to relax traffic.”

“We are trying to create a Konya model as an office. We are really working hard to achieve this aim. Konya with thousands of history deserves it. Our aim based on the needs of people. Firstly we determine people’s need then according to it we serve to people.” He added.

“The past 10 years, we have a successful period with the support of our people in all areas. I thank you to those who support us by all mean,” he added.

A worker, 57, Haci Gul, at Konya mayor said: “I admire him because I have seen him very brave, hardworking, and advancing. Once I had a family problem. He motivated me to stand up otherwise I was depressed.”

“He believes if we save one life it means we have saved all humanity this is his motto. His exemplary personality creates sympathy among the people that’s why he got %64 of vote in March election,” he added.

Everything is for Konya, create a model Konya for Turkey for the world.

As soon as we learn his life we have seen that his life was full of succeed though he had very hard life that we are forbidden to write.