Alleged procurement fraud’s details exposed

Hacer Boyacıoğlu ANKARA / Radikal

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The details of an illicit “tender mechanism” that resulted in a police raid into Turkey’s Public Procurement Authority (KİK), lawsuits against three staff and arrest warrants against two businessmen have been unveiled.

The Feb. 13 raid came after claims that the business of Fermak owner Ferit Rızvanoğlu and Nursoy Holding owner Orhan Nurdoğan was being followed up by KİK member Ali Kaya. According to documents seen by Radikal, Kaya, who has been a member since 2007, dissented from a decision on a bid that Nursoy lost. In another note, Kaya said Fermak should have won another tender.

According to media reports, the police are currently investigating over 100 tenders with a total worth of about 1 billion Turkish Liras. Up to now, 23 people have been detained.

A KİK decision dated Oct. 1, 2009 was related to a tender about the purchase of two ferries with a capacity to carry 50 wagons. The Torgem-Nursoy partnership, which had an unsuccessful bid, appealed the result, but was rejected by a majority. However, Kaya dissents, saying that the bid should have been canceled. The second decision, dated March 21, 2011, is about a highway renewal project totaling 110 kilometers. After Fermak won the bidding, a rival firm sought the cancellation of the process. KİK members agree. However, Kaya dissents again.

The name of Fermak could also be seen at a report by the Prime Ministry’s Higher Inspection Committee regarding the Turkish State Railways (TCDD). In last year’s report, the Committee said contracts with a group of companies including Fermak had inflated the costs. According to sources, images of bribes have been added to the investigation file.