Allegations of 'AKP-guaranteed profiteering' at Osmangazi Bridge: Multi-million dollar payment revealed

CHP Deputy Chairman Deniz Yavuzyılmaz criticized the massive guarantee payments made by the Treasury regarding the Osmangazi Bridge.

He stated that they have determined the Treasury made a payment of 569 million 809 thousand dollars to the company for the bridge, which is operated under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, even though the traffic guarantee set for 2024 was exceeded.

Yavuzyılmaz emphasized that this system, which he defined as the AKP's "guaranteed robbery mechanism," wastes public resources and stated the following:

TRAFFIC GUARANTEE EXCEEDED BUT PAYMENTS CONTINUE

"The annual traffic guarantee for the Osmangazi Bridge for 2024 was set at 14 million 600 thousand vehicles. However, the actual number of vehicles crossing exceeded this target, reaching 19 million 464 thousand 305. Despite this, the Treasury made a guarantee payment of 569 million 809 thousand dollars (approximately 20 billion TL at the current exchange rate) to the operating company."

TOLL FEES INDEXED TO US INFLATION

Stating that bridge toll fees increase with US inflation, Yavuzyılmaz said that the guaranteed toll fee per vehicle for 2024 was 35 dollars excluding VAT.

Expressing that this amount will rise to 55 dollars including VAT in 2025, Yavuzyılmaz noted that this figure corresponds to approximately 1,938 TL at the current exchange rate.

Pointing out that after the 555 TL bridge toll paid by drivers, the remaining 1,383 TL is paid to the company by the Treasury, Yavuzyılmaz said, "Not only those who use the bridge, but everyone who does not use it is forced to make payments through this system."

'TERRIBLE CONTRACTS BURDEN THE PUBLIC'

Stating that the BOT contracts made during the AK Party era increase public loss, Yavuzyılmaz noted that in the case of the Osmangazi Bridge, 100% of the fee is covered by the Treasury if the guaranteed vehicle traffic target is not met, and 72% is covered even if it is met.

"The name of this system is guaranteed profiteering," said Yavuzyılmaz, expressing that citizens are harmed due to the inefficient use of public resources.

Yavuzyılmaz concluded his remarks by saying, "Because of the AK Party's bad contracts, public loss cannot be stopped even if traffic guarantees are exceeded. These contracts work in favor of the companies and against the nation." Yavuzyılmaz emphasized that such contracts, which increase the burden on the Treasury, should be reviewed and called on the relevant institutions to take action on this matter.