AKP-linked electricity distribution companies granted 14 billion liras in public tenders in 10 years

Over the past decade, 10 pro-government companies have received the lion's share in electricity distribution public tenders, with 14.4 billion liras worth of state funds.

Monday November 15 2021 07:54 pm

This file photo shows Erdoğan with some of the owners of pro-government holdings.

Duvar English

Ten Turkish electricity distribution companies with close links to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) have been granted 14.4 billion liras in public tenders in the last 10 years, daily Birgün reported on Nov. 15.

Out of these 10 companies, four belong to holdings referred to as the “gang of five” by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

The highest amount of state funds went to Dicle Electricity Distribution Company, totaling 2.8 billion liras. Between 2014-2021, the company was given a total of 308 electricity tenders by several public institutions.

Dicle Electricity Distribution Company was followed by Aydem Electricity Company. Between 2014-2021, in a total of 585 public tenders, the company was granted 2.4 billion liras.

Third on the list was Cengiz-Kolin Boğaziçi Electricity Company, which received 37 public tenders between 2014-2021, totaling 2.3 billion liras. The company belongs to Cengiz Holding and Kolin Construction companies, which are among five conglomerates that have benefitted from multibillion-dollar contractors for infrastructure megaprojects under the reign of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's AKP.

Yağmur Group Electricity Company came fourth on the list, receiving 133 public tenders totaling 1.6 billion liras. Among the management of the company are Abdurrahman Topbaş, Ömer Faruk Topbaş and Ömer Faruk Damar.

Fifth on the list came Cengiz Electricity Company, a subsidiary of Cengiz Holding. Between 2012-2021, the company received 92 tenders totaling 1.1 billion liras.

Taken together, these public tenders - along with dozens of others - paint a picture of holding companies that have greatly profited from their close relationship with Erdoğan and the AKP.