The Court of Auditors puts municipalities in the spotlight: irregularities increase
The Court of Auditors completed its 2022 audit examinations of 81 provinces and hundreds of district municipalities and published its reports. Irregularities and corruption were found in many municipalities. Some of the issues identified in the reports were the following:
MASCIT WITH EMERGENCY CODE
The AKP Samsun Metropolitan Municipality rented a vehicle for the use of department heads for 10 million 749 thousand lira. However, the make and model of the vehicle were also included in the specification. Competition and equal opportunities were hindered. Tenders for renovations, ornamental pools, furniture, cafes and mosques were conducted using the “21-B” method, which should only be used in emergencies.
SUCCESS OF THE CONCERT
Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality paid companies for the concerts well above the market price. 1 million 890 thousand lira were paid to a company by 9 different organizations. The company gave 895,000 liras to the company that organized the event. The contractor only issued one invoice and made a profit of 1 million lire.
KONYA SPREAD MONEY
Konya Municipality transferred abundant resources to some people and companies. Advertising and publicity tax was not collected in 662 workplaces. The shares of the Environmental Cleaning Tax were sent to only 10 of 31 district municipalities. It was determined that 118 work centers did not have an operating license. 685 taxi license plates were illegally issued. Municipally owned lands were sold without a council decision and collections were paid in installments.
ATATURK’S MANSION WAS TURNED OFF
The AKP Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality assigned its Hüseyin Kazaz Cultural Center and Atapark Multi-Purpose Hall to the AKP Ortahisar Municipality without a council decision. The Atatürk Mansion, the city museum, the girls’ monastery and the Çal cave were also transferred to the municipal company without a tender and for 23 thousand lira. A restaurant was also built on the land rented as a gas station.
KAYSERILI ACCOUNT
The Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality did not transfer 3 million 940 thousand lira of the income obtained from the sale of real estate to the slum fund. This money was supposed to be used to liquidate slums and prevent the construction of new slums. Once the bus terminal’s operating period expired, it was handed over to the same company without a tender. The operating period of 12 public buses was tendered for 49 years instead of 10 years.
CONTINUE POLLUTION
The Metropolitan Municipality of Kocaeli has never collected the required collection from mining companies to prevent environmental pollution. It was determined that 598 work centers did not have an operating license. Municipal properties were assigned to foundations, associations and sports clubs. 1,670 public bus plates, 1,219 taxis and 6,500 service vehicles were granted for an indefinite period instead of 10 years.
300 MILLION INTEREST
The AKP Bursa Metropolitan Municipality showed the 300 million long-term loan interest used in just one year of expenses. He became a guarantor of the debts of his own companies, Burkent, worth 30 million, Besaş, 5 million, and Tarımsaş, 50 million.
TENDER DIVIDED
The AKP’s Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality implemented legal provisions that should be used in case of emergency and called for a tender for pipes, tarpaulins and souvenirs. It also divided some tenders whose total amount reached millions, reduced the amount and resorted to direct contracting.
TAX DEBT
The AKP’s Denizli Metropolitan Municipality did not pay its tax debts on time and suffered losses due to late fines. In 2021, 34 million of the 46 million 827 thousand liras of debt were paid.
SPLIT THE STONE WALL
The AKP’s Ordu Metropolitan Municipality held tenders that did not exceed 218 thousand 395 TL and divided them to use the ‘direct contracting’ method. 11 tenders were held for the construction of stone walls and 8 tenders for the purchase of cleaning materials. It was determined that 131 tenants of municipal properties had not paid their debts.
RIGHT TO PEACE
The Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality did not even take measures to recover the public damage of 2.7 million lira, despite the final decisions revealed during the inspections. It was determined that appointments and payments of allowances were made in boards of directors of municipal companies that did not comply with the legislation.
Source: Sozcu
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