Cem Küçük's controversial post on bridge privatizations: 'The bridge is not being sold, its revenues are'

A claim was published by Bloomberg regarding the privatization of the operating rights of the 15 July Martyrs and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges, as well as certain highways. No denial has been issued regarding this claim. 

Following this, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel brought the issue to the agenda at his party's group meeting. Özel stated that the British firm Ernst & Young had been authorized for the sale process and that the Canadian BTY Group had been appointed as a technical consultant.

Özel used the following expressions: 

“They have given the authorization for the sale to the British firm Ernst & Young. They have also made the Canadian BTY Group the technical consultant. The revenue of just the 2 bridges and 7 highways last year was 600 million dollars. Maintenance costs are 2 percent. Now, they are killing the goose that lays the golden eggs to get 3 billion dollars, which is 5 years of revenue, in advance.”

On the other hand, police intervened in the protest organized by the CHP in response to these privatizations; the location of the protest was changed, and 3 people were detained.

"THEIR REVENUES ARE BEING SOLD"

As the debates continue, Cem Küçük, known for his proximity to the government, shared messages on his social media account supporting these ‘privatizations’.

While Küçük stated, “The bridge is not being sold, its revenues are being sold. It is a very good move,” he argued in a reply to a user that these ‘privatizations’ are in the public interest. Küçük said, “Privatization is a good thing.” 

News Source: 12punto