Police to probe banned Kıb-tek bidder
Chinese-made devices caused fires, Kıb-Tek incurs a 250 million TL loss
FINANCIAL police have launched an investigation into an alleged 250-million TL fraud case at the electricity corporation Kıb-Tek.
Six Kıb-Tek workers have been moved to other jobs following a report by auditors at the government’s “Court of Accounts”, according to Cyprus Today’s sister newspaper Kıbrıs.
It is alleged that Mors Ltd, which won a tender to supply electrical goods to Kıb-Tek, bought the goods from China but then sold them on to Kıb-Tek as “Turkish” goods for more than four times their purchase price, Kıbrıs reported.
The items included 22kV circuit breakers that were bought for $33 each in China but sold to Kıb-Tek for $124, the report said.
Many of the items were defective and caused fires, KıbTek executive board chair Turan Büyükyılmaz said, as well as “huge financial loss”.
“Even though these products are produced for very cheap prices they have been sold to Kıb-Tek at high costs,” Mr Büyükyılmaz said.
“One [order] was for 15,000 pieces, while the other was for 1,000 pieces.”
He warned that the defective goods could create “big problems” in the summer when energy consumption increases.
“The company [Mors Ltd] had been banned from bidding for tenders. However they applied under another [company name] under their relatives,” Mr Büyükyılmaz said.
Referring to the six employees who have been moved from their roles in Kıb-Tek, he added: “In order to prevent our colleagues being harmed by the situation that knowingly or unknowingly damaged the department, we have changed their offices until the investigation is completed.”
Mr Büyükyılmaz stated that the Financial Police have now taken over the investigation, which covers 2017 to 2020 but could be extended to dealings done in previous years.
Mors Ltd director Ali Hacımulla told Kıbrıs that the issue is “not as has been reflected” and that he had “documents that he will show very soon”.
SOME 2,000 tonnes of potatoes will go to waste because farmers can’t export them via South Cyprus, the head of the Cyprus Turkish Potato Producers’ Union, Engin Halkseven, said this week.
January to March is usually the busiest time for potato exports to the EU but Mr Halkseven has said that exports from North Cyprus have been banned by the EU due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Halkseven said he had raised the matter during a “positive meeting” with President Ersin Tatar.
Potatoes produced locally were, prior to the coronavirus outbreak, exported under the “Green Line Regulation” but such trade has stopped because the European Commission plant health inspector has not arrived this year, Mr Halkseven said.
He said he is ready to make the “necessary applications” for contactless trade across the border in order to make up for potato producers’ losses.
Mr Halkseven said that Mr Tatar emphasised during their meeting that potatoes produced in the Beyarmudu region, villages in the southern Mesaoria plan known as “red villages” due to the colour of the soil, and
Doğancı are high quality products and that ways to market them should be sought thoroughly.
Mr Tatar raised the matter with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and EU Commission Vice President Josep Borrell when he visited the island last Friday, Mr Halkseven said.
The President also raised the possibility of exporting potatoes to the UK now that it has left the EU, according to Mr Halkseven.
Mr Halkseven added that potatoes produced in North Cyprus are the “best in the world” and that it is “unacceptable” that they should be “left in producers’ hands”.
“We are going bust despite this production,” Mr
Halkseven said while stating that the lack of students and tourists and “empty hotels” has hit sales.
“We have offered to the EU to take our products to the buffer zone or the [British] Base Areas in Beyarmudu, but our requests, including for an expert to come from the Greek Cypriot side, have been left unanswered,” Mr Halkseven continued.
“If there is no positive outcome, then 2,000 tonnes of potatoes will go in the bin. We are trying to sell some, if not all, of the potatoes to the UK or Dubai via Gazimağusa port, but the nonrecognition of the TRNC creates problem in the international arena regarding the health certificates for exports.”
PRESIDENT Ersin Tatar praised the “pioneering” role of women in a message to mark March 8 International Women’s Day.
“I sincerely commemorate the International Women’s Day of our women – who touch our lives with their sacrifices, love and tolerance and who have a pioneering role in the future of humanity,” the President said in a written statement.
“The work to be carried out by all institutions and organs of the state, as well as non-governmental organisations, is very important for our women to have a say in every field in society from education to business life, and for there to be no discrimination between men and women in terms of fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Mr Tatar praised the role and sacrifice of Turkish Cypriot women in the “struggle against violence, injustice and discrimination” and said that he will “lead the struggle as your President, together with the state organs and institutions, and civil community groups, in order to prevent every kind of violence against women in our country.”
Mr Tatar referred to the motto of “strong women, strong society” as a guide, adding: “All our women will continue to take their prominent place in politics, society and business life, while protecting and developing our social peace.”
Mr Tatar, accompanied by First Lady Sibel Tatar, paid tribute to female healthcare workers during a visit to Lefkoşa State
Hospital and the adjacent Emergeny Hospital on Monday,
Speaking during the visit, Mr Tatar said women are productive and successful in many fields in the TRNC.
“Women, and especially female healthcare workers, are fighting at the front line and need to be commended,” he said.
“Covid-19 also exists in the TRNC . . . however, we are an exemplary country in women’s issues compared to the whole world and gender equality has been around for years.”
The Tatars also visited the Evkaf Foundations Administration in Lefkoşa, where they presented awards to Dr Ayşe Sınay Tahsin, the founder of the Ayşe Hanım Foundation, İnci Hakkı, the founder of the
Barutçuzade Ahmet Vasıf Efendi Foundation, Bahire Doğru, founder of Cyprus Foundation for Hearing and Speech Impairment, Özge Eminoğlu, founder of Süleyman Cengiz Eminoğlu Foundation, and Tangül Çağıner Children’s Aid Foundation founder İçim Çağıner. Addressing the ceremony on Monday, Mr Tatar drew attention to the historical importance of the Evkaf headquarters building, that is located in Lefkoşa’s walled city, which he said “is one of the first buildings on the island where the Turkish flag was hoisted”.
In a separate event, the President and First Lady received female administrative board members of the Cyprus Turkish Consumers’ Association.
Speaking during the meeting, Mrs Tatar said that she was “delighted” to be given the “Woman of the Year” award by the association.
“I wish to receive every award and every flower in the name of every woman,” Mrs Tatar said.
“There are many women who deserve to receive these awards on this March 8 International Women’s Day . . . I accept this award in the name of women who brought up their children without a father, who protected their country at time of war, who have been able to bring up their children despite facing financial difficulties.”