New development at the multi-billion dollar Çandarlı Port: The sign has been erased

I told you the story of the Çandarlı Port in İzmir last month; let me remind you again:

According to those familiar with the matter, the construction of the port, which consists of a 1.5-kilometer-long pier, began years ago. First, the Chinese were brought in to drive the piles; when they left the job half-finished, the Japanese were called in. While the Japanese were working, the piles driven by the Chinese collapsed, and the Japanese, seeing this, quit the job.

As of 2024, the situation at the port is as follows: No operators have come forward for the tenders previously opened, no new tenders have been opened, the port has not been completed, it has never been maintained, and it has received no new investment. Meanwhile, there are also allegations that the so-called 'Gang of Five' is involved in the port construction.

Ultimately, the port, on which some say 100 million dollars and others say even more money was spent, is just sitting there as a concrete remnant, a dead investment on the coast of İzmir's beautiful Çandarlı district.

The dilapidated pier, which was said to be one of the largest ports in the world, is being used as a fishing pier, and since there is no traffic in the area, fish are said to be plentiful.

But now, in my opinion, they have done something very important (!); there used to be eight or ten signs on the North Aegean Highway that read 'Çandarlı Port'. Now, they have covered up all the 'Port' inscriptions on these signs. If you look closely, you can still read 'Port', but it has been crossed out; just like cats covering up their waste, if the money was wasted, just cover it up and be done with it.

If a list of wasted money in Turkey over the last twenty years were to be made, this is the current state of one of the investments that would be at the top of the list; hide the sign, let it be forgotten.

Yet, if the country is experiencing an economic crisis, if the public is suffering due to inflation, and if money cannot be found to give retirees a small raise, one of the biggest reasons is billions spent like this to enrich cronies.

So much money has gone to waste, so many years of effort have gone to waste; have you ever heard of a government official responsible for the Çandarlı Port being reprimanded, let alone punished?

You couldn't have heard it, because such a thing doesn't happen.

Instead, what happens is that a political party leader's hand is kissed while wearing a state uniform, and the one who kisses it is appreciated and rewarded.

Therefore, if a 25 percent raise was given to retirees, be grateful for it.

So much money is being squandered without you even realizing it that you shouldn't be surprised if you can't even get that 25 percent raise; just be thankful.