AKP-run Bahçelievler Municipality poured millions of liras!

The expenditures revealed in the Audit Commission Report of the AKP-run Bahçelievler Municipality have sparked controversy. It was determined that the municipality, which previously made headlines with a "cake tender," purchased printed trays for 605 thousand TL and ballpoint pens for 595 thousand TL. The municipality, which pours hundreds of thousands of liras into events, also draws attention with its controversial tender processes.

While Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and his colleagues were arrested on allegations of "corruption," new expenditures reflected in the Audit Commission Report of the AKP-run Bahçelievler Municipality have emerged.

According to the report by İsmail Arı from BirGün, the Bahçelievler Municipality, managed by AKP's Hakan Bahadır—who was previously the subject of controversy for having his name printed on bars of soap—made purchases of printed trays for 605 thousand TL and ballpoint pens for 595 thousand TL via direct procurement on March 28, 2024. On November 11, 2024, kraft (paper) bags were purchased for 540 thousand TL.

MILLIONS POURED INTO CAKE TENDER

The Bahçelievler Municipality, which has a population of approximately 560 thousand, had also made headlines on December 28, 2023, with the purchase of 750 thousand cakes, 500 thousand cheese sandwiches, and 250 thousand roasted meat sandwiches.

During the procurement process for the cakes and sandwiches, one company submitted a bid of 26 million 922 thousand TL. However, the purchase was made from the company that submitted a bid of 39 million 125 thousand TL.

It was reported that the company that submitted the lower bid was disqualified from the tender. The incident was also confirmed in a statement made by the municipality.

In her statement, Lawyer Arife Aslı Koç, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs for the Bahçelievler Municipality, said, "It was determined that the work experience certificate of the company that participated in the tender and allegedly submitted a bid of 27 million TL was invalid; therefore, the tender was not awarded to this company in accordance with Public Procurement Law No. 4734.

The fact that they did not file any objection to our administration or the Public Procurement Authority also confirms that this process was conducted in accordance with the law," she stated.

EXPENDITURES REVEALED

The municipality also spent lavishly on events organized on certain important days. The event expenditures included in the report are as follows:

• February 14 Valentine's Day: 500 thousand TL

• March 14 Medicine Day: 590 thousand TL

• March 8 Women's Matinee: 600 thousand TL

• World Water Day Event: 500 thousand TL

• Strategic Plan Workshop: 512 thousand TL

• Barrier-Free Life Center Event: 600 thousand TL

• Veterans Day Organization: 545 thousand TL

• November 24 Organization: 500 thousand TL

News Source: 12punto