The office of Atakum Municipality has been seized.

The furniture in Atakum Municipality Mayor Serhat Türkel's office has been seized due to an approximately 21 million lira debt left over from the previous Mayor Cemil Deveci period.

ATAKUM MUNICIPALITY IN DEBT CRISIS

Serhat Türkel, who recently announced the financial situation of Atakum Municipality, stated that the municipality had approximately 953 million TL debt as of April 1, 2024. The 11,000 square meter land of the municipality located in İncesu Neighborhood was sold at half price through execution.

MAYOR'S OFFICE UNDER SEIZURE

A new development has occurred in the municipality, which is in trouble with debts. The furniture in Türkel's office has been seized due to an approximately 21 million lira debt left over from the previous Mayor Cemil Deveci period. The debt is said to be owed to Besapark Vehicle Parking Valet Cleaning Services and Organization Construction Trade Industry Limited Company.

"WE IMPLEMENTED A TIGHTENING BELT POLICY TO PAY EMPLOYEE SALARIES"

Mayor Türkel had also requested authorization from Atakum Municipality Council to use credit by borrowing 87.5 million TL to cope with the seizures. Türkel emphasized that a tightening belt policy was implemented in the municipality due to debts and said the following: "After taking over the municipality, our priority was to pay employee salaries. In the first three months, we implemented a tightening belt policy to pay the salaries of municipal employees.

"WE ENCOUNTERED THIS SITUATION WHEN WE WERE ABOUT TO PAY OUR DEBTS TO THE SHOPKEEPERS"

We worked day and night because the rights of our workers were our priority. The most important issue for us was for our workers to receive their salaries. We will definitely pay off the debts from the previous period and the debts to the shopkeepers. It is sad to encounter this situation at a time when we have set up a table for the payment of the debt to the shopkeepers."

"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO MAKE INSTANT PAYMENTS TO EVERYONE"

Mayor Türkel, stating that the debts will be paid according to a specific plan, used the following statements: "Due to the financial situation of our municipality, it is not possible to make instant payments to everyone who has a large amount of receivables. In the execution file subject to the seizure and preservation process carried out today, although the debt is around 3 million TL, the materials in the office, which were valued at 42,500 TL, have been seized.

"WE WILL PAY OUR DEBTS"

It is understood from the implementation of the preservation decision, even though it will not cover the debt if this amount is converted into cash, that the creditors have ill intentions. We will make a planning that is in favor of our shopkeepers and pay off our debts without discriminating against anyone, while considering the public interest. Forgetting the principle of continuity in the state is not possible. It is sad to encounter this situation at a time when we have started to have one-on-one meetings with our shopkeepers.

"WE WILL PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF OUR SHOPKEEPERS"

As a mayor elected by the will of the people of Atakum, we will protect the public interest while protecting the rights of our shopkeepers. The receivables and debts of Atakum Municipality belong to the people of Atakum. We will make the payment plan in the most accurate way to protect the reputation of Atakum Municipality. Atakum Municipality will be an exemplary municipality for all of Turkey. I will always work to protect the interests of the people of Atakum and serve our fellow citizens."