AKP-run municipality spends millions on thermoses and cup sets
It has been revealed that the Pendik Municipality, under AKP administration, spent millions to purchase 36,000 thermoses, 5,000 cup sets, 50,000 coffee sets, and trays. A 10.6 million TL tram, which was planned to operate in the bazaar but could not be used, has also become a subject of criticism.
12punto
New details regarding the 2024 financial expenditures of the Pendik Municipality, led by AKP's Ahmet Cin, have come to light. During the April council meeting, the Pendik Municipality's Audit Commission Report was reviewed. CHP members of the commission added a dissenting opinion to the report.
According to statements from CHP members, the Pendik Municipality sold 1.2 billion TL worth of land this year, placing it among the municipalities that sold the most land across Istanbul.
RUBBER-TIRED TRAM CRISIS
According to a report by İsmail Arı from Birgün, information that the municipality spent 6 million 480 thousand TL to purchase 36,000 thermoses was also reflected in the report. Furthermore, it was determined that a vehicle resembling a nostalgic tram could not be used in the bazaar.
The report included the following statements:
“It was expected that the vehicle, purchased for 10 million 650 thousand TL + VAT in the tender for the purchase of a rubber-tired vehicle with a nostalgic tram appearance, would establish a route within the Pendik Bazaar and create a nostalgic atmosphere in Pendik. However, the municipal officials who conceived this project did not account for the vehicle's turning points and could not foresee that it would be impossible to use it within the bazaar. The vehicle cannot make turns at corners, cannot complete its route, and causes traffic within the bazaar, causing grievances for both shopkeepers and the public.”
The dissenting opinion prepared by the CHP members also stated that the municipality purchased 5,000 cup sets for 1 million 200 thousand TL, and these cups were distributed to citizens over the age of 65 residing in Pendik during the election period. Information that the municipality also purchased 50,000 coffee sets and trays was also included.
PRIVILEGE FOR TÜGVA
CHP council members also drew attention to the facilities provided to the Turkey Youth Foundation (TÜGVA). According to the report, the municipality covered 241 thousand TL in rent throughout 2024. In addition to this, vehicles were allocated 23 times in just 10 months.
The dissenting opinion included the following statements:
“As if it were not enough that we pay their rent, vehicles were also allocated 23 times within 10 months. Considering that each trip costs an average of 5 thousand TL, it is not right for 115 thousand TL to be used for just one foundation. Using everyone's taxes for certain partisan associations and foundations is an injustice. This type of unequal service approach must be abandoned.”