Turkish Cypriot pioneer of construction sector in Cyprus
Efruz Müdüroğlu
Efruz Müdüroğlu is one of the first civil engineers grown out of Turkish Cypriot society.
Having undertaken many projects across England and Libya, Mr. Müdüroğlu has been operating in Azerbaijan since 90s. Our interview with Mr. Müdüroğlu may be an inspiration for those
who are a part of construction sector and entrepreneurs of other sectors as well.
Mr. Müdüroğlu, first of all, we would like to say that we have heard much concerning your name since the very first day we started preparing the Construction Magazine. Many mentioned your name, yet anyone had hardly any knowledge about what you have been doing recently. Can you please talk about yourself?
I was born in Nicosia in 1932. I completed my primary and secondary education in Oktaköy and Nicosia. I entered İstanbul Technical University in 1948, and graduated as an engineer following the completion of my MSc in the field of reinforced concrete. After several years of work in Germany, where I had arrived in purpose of completing my PhD, I received an offer to prepare a project for the stadium that is to be built at the Famagusta Gate with late estimable engineer Ahmed Bahaddin. Accordingly, I returned to the Island in 1955 and established an office on static project. The project mentioned above was not realized, though. However, we prepared Evkaf Blocks project and additionally took interest in several other projects. In the meantime, I was occupied with the project of Namık Kemal High School at Famagusta. It was a time of flourish in construction on British bases; however, our people were incapable of getting any benefit of this. I pioneered the establishment of a company by a group including some shareholders from Turkish Bank, in order to overcome the necessity of a contractor company. Yet, I soon conceived that this group was incapable of executing the job despite all our efforts. Then, I started to work as a building contractor in 1956. In the meantime, I managed the projects of boys’ and girls’ colleges, Saray Hotel, and the extension of Dhekelia Electricity Central. Besides, I directed the construction process of new water pipes stretching under the sea and several tasks on British bases.
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS...
It seems you have obtained a considerable amount of equipments to realize the projects you have mentioned.
Yes; we had a satisfying organization working both on land and sea in the year of 1963 when the events started to occur in December. We started to take interest in foreign projects as we saw the impossibility of growing any further within the boundaries of Cyprus. The events of 1963 caused a serious financial damage to our company. I foresaw that there would be no improvement within a short period of time after the events of December 1963, and I decided to move to England in 1964. I engaged in the management of some considerably large buildings and some engineering structures in London. As the situation turned out to be better in Cyprus in the year 1970, I returned to our island and continued our work at the very point that was left. We occupied with the construction of general hospital, a hotel on the coast of Kyrinia, and completion of the houses on beach. Our company opened up to Libya in 1972 and carried out the construction of some large and complex buildings and engineering structures until 1980 thanks to the international bidding that were concluded in favour of our company. The biggest building project we have directed so far is the construction of the faculty of medicine situated on an 87.000-m2 area; on the other hand, the biggest engineering structure project our company have handled is a port of 221 million dollars.
By the way you have a Saudi-Arabia period…
Yes; following our departure from Libya in 1980, we directed our destination towards Saudi Arabia. Our company dealt with the construction of water wells and watering-systems in Saudi-Arabia starting from 1981. However, this project turned out to be unsuccessful due to some external causes. I left Saudi-Arabia in the mid-eighties and returned to Cyprus after having spent some time in England. I worked together with my friend Çetin Kürşat; afterwards I took part in establishing Pearl Construction Company in 1988 upon the will of dear Asil Nadir. The constructions of Jasmin Court, Olivia Blocks, Çatal Köy Touristic Facilities in Kyrinia; Palm Beach Hotel in Famagusta; Crystal Cone Hotel in Lapta; orange packaging facilities in Güzelyurt, and many other projects were realised under the name of this company. Some of these constructions were the ones that had been left unfinished or the projects that had started long ago.
AZARBAIJAN MODERN OFFICES...
You have built numerous buildings and facilities on Island; but nowadays, you are working in Azerbaijan. How did your way fall on to Azerbaijan (What were the conditions that made your destination to Azerbaijan)?
Following the structural changes in the Soviet Union in the late eighties, I went on to research whether there would be any opportunity for contractorship in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia in 1992. Construction bids were not common in those days. Therefore, I engaged in log exportation for a period of time in Siberia. As the petrol contract, called “Contract of the Century”, was signed between Azerbaijan and international petrol companies in 1994, we concentrated our work on Azerbaijan starting from 1995, considering the necessity for modern offices to occur in the following days. Since then, our company has been working on these projects.
Can you please mention some the projects you have been managing in Azerbaijan?
In order to meet the modern office needs of gigantic petrol companies, we first built Landmark I office block on a 12000-m2 area. But we rented this building to the petrol companies having been operating there. As the next step, Landmark II was constructed subsequently on a 6000-m2 area; adjacent to Landmark I. Major part of the offices in Landmark II was occupied by British Legation. It was just two months ago that we commenced the construction of Landmark III on a 31000-m2 area, again adjacent to the previous buildings. This new building will be composed of offices, service apartments, fitness centre, parking lot and similar facilities. It consists of 4 floors being underground and 15 floors being above the ground. We anticipate finalising Landmark III in the year of 2007. We have a 51000-m2’ “Shopping Mall” project ahead. We hope to give a start to this project in the forthcoming days.
NO ENGINEERS ON ISLAND…
How did you find the condition of the island regarding construction sector when you returned to Cyprus following your graduation from ITU? What was the condition of the sector in those days?
Unfortunately it was not possible to mention the existence of a construction sector in 1955, when I returned to the island. The condition was the same regarding project preparations. If I am not mistaken, it was Ahmed Bahaddin who arrived at the Island as the first architect towards the end of 1954; soon after I arrived at the island as the first civil engineer 3 or 5 months later. In the meantime, there were few professional colleagues in Greek society. A number of petty projects were drawn by lawyer assistants and constructed by some builders. Primarily the problem we faced was to make our profession acknowledged. This awareness did not exist neither amongst our people nor the other people.
It must be a hard decision to take leaving the island in 1964. Can you please explain the main factors that took you first to England and then to Azerbaijan?
We encountered serious loss in the events of 1963 as the projects we carried on were spread all across the island. After waiting for a period, I foresaw the impossibility of starting work within a short period of time and I knew that we needed to expedite the process of opening up to foreign affairs, then I decided to go to England. I involved in the management of noticeable projects there. These projects have provided additional working experience for us. I returned to Cyprus in 1970 and we started working within a limited space. In 1972, we opened up to Libya. Our very first task was Bengazi Rain Water Drainage Project as the result of an international bidding that was concluded in favour of our company. Afterwards, our work potential enlarged. Our projects in Libya were generally very successful; yet, at a point in the construction of the port project, we realized something that did not apply the science of engineering. Following the approval of our idea by two different highest authorities, we rejected obeying the project in the construction of several parts. Upon this progress, we had a trouble with the management, and the situation cost us 63 million dollars in the exchange rate of those days.
Such a costly loss must have retarded your works…
Undoubtedly, this loss undermined our situation. However, we endured this situation, in the sake of complying with our professional principles. At this stage, we only had a new project of 280 million dollars, including some works on land and sea, as the result of a new bidding. Yet, we decided to leave Libya in the early eighties and I returned to Cyprus. I received some news that Libya was to compensate us. I waited for a year, and nothing happened. So I went to Saudi Arabia and engaged in the construction of water wells for a period of time. I cannot say that these projects were successful due to external reasons. Following my return to the island I worked with my friend Çetin Kürşat for a short period of time. Soon after we started operating following the establishment of Pearl Construction Company with Asil Nadir in 1988.
GOVENRMENT SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL...
You have not been living on the island for a long time. However, your name is still mentioned frequently in professional talks. What do you think is the reason for this?
I think this is due to the fact that once we have worked together with the professional colleagues who have been operating on this island, in this field or other related fields.
You have worked in many countries such as Germany, England, Libya, Saudi Arabia and lastly Azerbaijan. What kind of difficulties did you encounter as a foreigner (especially as a foreigner whose country is not recognized in international space)?
I have not encountered any problem in Germany and England. After the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, the situation of some friends travelling with Cypriot passports, and those whose passport had expired turned out to be complicated. The problem was solved upon our appeal by Bülent Ecevit, the prime minister then, through providing Turkish passports to Cypriots as travelling document. Whereas, no problem occurred for the staff members arriving from other countries. I would like to attract attention to one point; the companies taking part in big projects and grow successful gradually would like to feel the weight of their countries behind, this reality does not change, now and then. We can see how developed countries support their companies even in 50-60 million-dollar projects. It is still in memories how Lady Margaret Thatcher struggled to provide the bid to be concluded in favour of English companies for the project of the third Bosphorus Bridge. This may be identified as one of the reasons that prevent the construction of the bridge. We remember in gratification how our leader Rauf Denktaş supported our company under necessary situations. However, as we generally received projects in international biddings under competitive conditions, the fact that our country was small and not recognized in international space always stood as a disadvantage before us. It is undoubtedly very pleasing to see the Turkish governments quitted being timid in the last 20 years, and started acting more efficiently.
IT IS TIME FOR BIG ATTACKS
You left the island in the late eighties. However, you have paid several visits, I think. What kind of changes you observed in your visits in the meantime? What were the things that excited or upset you most?
I have been to Cyprus several times either for long or short visits. I was flattered to observe in my visits that the living standards of our people had been advanced. On the other hand, I was sad to see that love and respect had been losing its significance day by day. What surprised me on my last visit was the fact that a society consisting of 200.000 people having more than 2 million dollars of deposits in banks. It is also possible to conclude that the individuals of our society have approximately 3 million dollar deposits in external banks. If these numbers reflect the truth, it means our society is ready for big attacks. In order to realize these attacks, it is essential to stay away from self-oriented attitudes.
You have lived far away from your country for years; and still you are living abroad. What do you miss most of this land, when you are away?
Undoubtedly, one misses every little thing of his country. I find it rather difficult to make a distinction among those.
Many significant things happened upon your departure from the island. For instance, a noticeable construction flourish has started within the last 4-5 years. Today, there are numerous constructions going on across the northern part. Many foreign construction companies have come to the island in this construction glut. Have you ever thought of making an investment on the island in this process?
This flourish in construction that occurred within the last 4-5 years is pleasing to meet the existent needs. However, it would be better if these constructions had been much more in order and good taste. Because, it is not easy to catch the opportunities again once you have missed them. To come to the point of making an investment, I would like to admit that I find it more pleasing being involved in big projects. It is not easy to find investment funds for Cyprus; but this does not mean that we will not take part in any enterprises in joint partnership. Additionally, everything needs to be in the frame of openness and honesty. It did not happen to be in this way in every phrase, unfortunately.
CONSIDERING LONG-TERM...
The existent infrastructure grew to be insufficient for the new buildings that were built in the scope of this construction glut occurring in Cyprus in recent years. Can you give some advices to suggest long-term solutions for infrastructure problems such as electricity, water and drainage system relying on your experiences?
The attempts that are realised just in order to satisfy the present needs, without long etudes, detailed plans and efficient programming, are generally insufficient and unsatisfactory over long term. For the non-politic investments such as electricity, water, and drainage system, expertise or financial aid might be required from World Bank or similar institutions, or fundamental solutions may be accomplished through long-term debts. Government and private sector partnership may raise an efficient solution in this matter. I believe that our government realizes necessary enterprises. Regarding the water problem that seems to become the biggest problem of the world will be facing; I would like to say that numerous reports and evaluations contributed by ourselves were submitted to Turkish Republic government related to the project of bringing water from Turkey to Cyprus, which was mentioned in the “Thorp Report”, in the early sixties. The financial value of this project was little in comparison to the complete amount raised by Turkey in assistance to our country or society (even under the circumstances to meet the necessity of the whole island). If this project had been realised then, in the light of long-term plans, our condition on the island would be far different in many aspects.
Lastly, would you like to tell something to your professional colleagues in Cyprus by means of our magazine?
First of all, I would like to offer my feelings of gratitude and appreciation to the staff members of this magazine for being tactful in offering me such an opportunity. I would like to give my thanks to my colleagues for contributing and supporting our task. I state that this gratification is also for the colleagues in other fields, who contributed and supported our projects. I wish them a successful professional life, and that they remember our duty in respecting our profession. I would like to express my deepest feelings of affection and regards to all my colleagues and all our citizens.
AHMED BAHADDİN BEY
You mentioned that you had worked with Ahmed Bahaddin, who was one of the first architects of the island. Ahmed Bahaddin is widely known not only amongst Turkish Cypriots but also by architects worldwide with his architectural work. Can you give us some information concerning Ahmed Bahaddin?
Besides being a very good and honest man, Ahmet Bahaddin was an estimably successful architect. I have never witnessed him breaking his professional principles in any project. I had the opportunity to work with him in a number of projects. For instance, I prepared the reinforced concrete project of Evkaf Blocks, whose architectural project was drawn by Ahmed Bahaddin. He also prepared the project of Ahmed Bey Girls College, which we took over in the construction phase as contractor company. In the project of the houses on beach, we were the proprietor and contractor. Both of us had a deep affection for our professions. Therefore, working together always made us happy. We also worked together in the ‘Registration Council’, generated by the joint government, and composed of 5 members. As far as I remember, some articles concerning Ahmed Bahaddin’s work appeared in some architectural magazines published across Germany, Netherlands, and Turkey. I can say without any doubt that the work of Ahmed Bahaddin played an important role in stabilising the architectural standards in Cyprus. He was one of the few in his field having realised services significant to our country. His unexpected departure from life is a great loss for us all.
(Construction Magazine / April 2006)
Translated by Aslı Özgen
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