IMM issues 'Lies and truths' statement

As the 'terrorism' and 'corruption' investigations into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) continue, the municipality continues to refute the allegations that have emerged.

The Press Consultancy of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) has issued a new statement titled "Lies and Truths" regarding the allegations surrounding the investigation.

The statement declared that the claims that "Digital Experience Center tenders were awarded to specific parties," "outdated technology was used at the Digital Experience Center," and "IMM is investigating the low-quality technology used at the Digital Experience Center" are untrue.

The following statements were included in the IMM's announcement:

"Lie 1: 'Digital Experience Center tenders were awarded to specific parties.'

Truth 1: Before it began serving as the Digital Experience Center (DEC), the building was an idle structure with no technology integration.

All materials required to achieve the technological infrastructure it possesses today were purchased by IMM Kültür AŞ in accordance with Public Procurement Law No. 4734.

The tenders and purchases carried out within this scope are as follows:

Procurement of Museum Industrial Screens and Video Wall Systems. This was conducted via an open tender procedure through EKAP.

Procurement of Museum Electronic Systems. This was conducted via an open tender procedure through EKAP.

Procurement of Steel Construction and Building Materials. This was conducted by registering through EKAP and using the invitation-to-tender method.

Procurement of Electrical Materials. This was conducted by registering through EKAP and using the invitation-to-tender method.

Contracts were signed with the owners of the most suitable and economical bids during the tender processes. Contrary to the allegations, the process was conducted in a completely transparent and lawful manner.

Lie 2: 'Outdated technology was used at the Digital Experience Center.'

Truth 2: All technological infrastructure used at the Digital Experience Center is in compliance with today's international digital museology standards.

Technological Infrastructure Details:

30 laser projection devices with 4K resolution were used.

Each device has a light output of 10,000 ANSI lumens.

Laser-based systems offer higher color accuracy and contrast ratios compared to traditional lamp technology.

They have a long lifespan of up to 20,000 hours and low maintenance costs.

4K Ultra HD resolution provides superior clarity, especially in historical visuals and map representations.

The project was planned with a holistic approach, not only through hardware quality but also through light calculations, engineering analysis of reflection angles, and staging studies.

A total light power of 300,000 lumens was provided in a 400 m² indoor area; this ratio was determined as optimal to support both visitor comfort and artistic expression.

Devices with higher lumens were not used because this could have disrupted the museum's ambiance and negatively affected the viewer experience.

Lie 3: 'IMM is investigating the low-quality technology used at the Digital Experience Center.'

Truth 3: There is no investigation initiated ex officio by the IMM or its subsidiaries regarding the technology used in the Digital Experience Center (DEC) project.

On 21.01.2025, an application was made to the IMM Inspection Board by Kültür AŞ following the unilateral termination of the contract by the company with which they collaborated to carry out certain technical works under the DEC umbrella.

This application only covers the examination of the procedures carried out by taking into account the notices of the company in the termination process and the response notices provided.

The subject of the investigation relates to the ongoing legal and administrative processes with the company that unilaterally terminated its contract; it does not concern the technological infrastructure.

For this reason, the allegations circulating in the public sphere that 'low-quality technology was used at the DEC and IMM is investigating it' are completely untrue."

News Source: 12punto