Construction began as soon as İmamoğlu was arrested: Kanal İstanbul tender went to a crony company again

Haldız İnşaat, known for its proximity to the AKP, continues to top the list for public tenders despite being absent from tax rankings. The company, which declared losses for three consecutive years in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and did not pay a single kuruş in taxes to the state during this period, has now secured a 4 billion 793 million lira tender on the Kanal İstanbul route.

The company, owned by Macit Haldız, won the TOKİ tender for the 6th Region 2nd Stage project, consisting of 1,044 residences and 37 shops, and the 7th Region project, consisting of 1,138 residences and 15 shops, in Arnavutköy Sazlıbosna. At the same time, another TOKİ project in Tuzla, consisting of 745 residences and 116 shops, also went to Haldız.

THEY STARTED RAPIDLY ONCE İMAMOĞLU WAS ARRESTED

Following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Kanal İstanbul project was accelerated. The government, "seizing the opportunity" of İmamoğlu's absence, distributed 28 tenders totaling 55 billion liras around the Sazlıdere Dam to companies close to the AKP.

According to a report by Sözcü, 10 days after İmamoğlu entered prison, on April 2, Haldız İnşaat took delivery of the project site and began construction.

THE ‘INDISPENSABLE’ NAME FOR TENDERS

Haldız İnşaat is owned by Macit Haldız, who is affiliated with the AKP. The company has its signature on major public tenders not only for Kanal İstanbul but all across Turkey. Projects with a total value reaching billions in Trabzon, Kocaeli, Körfez, and Hatay Kırıkhan have been awarded to the company.

In the latest major tender in Hatay Kırıkhan, Haldız will build 1,056 residences, a commercial center with 24 shops, and a mosque. The value of this tender is 2.9 billion TL.

Macit Haldız is not just a contractor; he is also the owner of the Kocaeli-based newspaper Özgür Kocaeli. He is one of the figures who greets President Erdoğan during his visits to Kocaeli.