Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Chairman Tufan Erhürman has accepted the new management of the recently appointed Union of Employees of the Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority (EL-SEN).
In addition to CTP Chairman Tufan Erhürman, Secretary General Erdoğan Sorakın, VQA member Hüseyin Özel and deputy Salahi Şahiner were also present at the meeting.
CTP Chairman Tufan Erhürman, who listened to the problems of the EL-SEN Board members and answered their questions, said in his speech during the reception, “The reform is the autonomy of KIB-TEK, not its separation into its functions.”
ELSEN President Çağlayan Cesurer emphasized that KIB-TEK has been dragged into a quagmire and that they want the autonomy law to be implemented immediately.
ERHÜRMAN: WHAT IS HAPPENING IS RELATED TO THE FACT THAT THE DECISIONS IN KIBTEK ARE POLITICAL
Pointing out that the newly formed EL-SEN administration undertook a difficult task in a very difficult period, Erhürman said, “This did not become a difficult period by itself.” Erhürman reminded that when they went from the quadripartite government in 2019, a decision was taken by the council of ministers on the purchase of the power plants, and reminded that a protocol was signed with EL-SEN.
Erhürman stated that there was a consensus on the introduction of the power plants but they were not brought, “In the tender held in October 2021, a tender of 150 thousand tons was issued. In this tender, the transportation of fuel was $ 33 per ton. We knew that the need would not be less than 200 thousand tons.
Their intention was to take the remaining 50,000 tons without a tender.” Reminding that the fuel oil was finished despite the introduction of 150 thousand tons at the end of May, Erhürman said, “Both the purchase without a tender was illegal and the transportation was up to 150 dollars per ton while transportation was made for 33 dollars. It caused very serious damage. The finance ministry did not bear this loss.”
Tufan Erhürman said, “From October 2021 to today, it was clear that if the tenders had been carried out correctly, these damages would not have arisen.” Pointing out that the institution was deliberately and willingly dragged into an inextricable situation, Erhürman pointed out that what happened was related to the fact that the decisions in KIB-TEK were political.
“PRIVATIZATION IN SUCH A SMALL ELECTRICITY MARKET MEANS PRIVATE MONOPOLIZATION”
Underlining that the real reform in KIB-TEK is autonomy, Erhürman emphasized that the solution is clear. Pointing out the importance of autonomy and professionalization in these situations, Erhürman emphasized that the separation of KIB-TEK into functions is actually the first step of privatization.
“In such a small electricity market, privatization means private monopolization,” Erhürman said, adding that this situation would neither cheapen the price nor increase the quality. Erhürman said, “The reform is the autonomy of KIB-TEK, not its separation into its functions.” Pointing out that very serious mistakes were made in practice and that the vision was extremely wrong, Erhürman said that KIB-TEK’s investments were deliberately delayed in the run-up to 2024.
Stating that as the CTP, they are aware of what has been done in the process, Erhürman said, “A serious struggle must be waged to bring KIB-TEK back on its feet. KIB-TEK is an institutional structure that the Turkish Cypriot people should focus on.”
BRAVE: KIBTEK DRAGGED INTO THE SWAMP
Thanking the CTP for their interest in EL-SEN, Cesurer noted that they have had certain works in the past. Emphasizing that they are aware that KIB-TEK has been dragged into a serious quagmire, Cesurer pointed out that the energy received from the south of Cyprus has reached a figure of over 6 million dollars in the last month.
“If KIB-TEK could produce it with its own resources, it would be produced for $2 million,” Cesurer said. Stating that the fuel problem continues, Cesur said, “It is being discussed whether to cut power for a few hours or to continue expensive purchases. Because the fuel problem continues.”
Giving information about the power plants donated by the Republic of Turkey, Cesurer said that a figure exceeding 33 million TL was paid for these power plants in the last month.
“WE WANT THE AUTONOMY LAW TO BE IMPLEMENTED WITH URGENCY”
Pointing out that the AKSA problem continues, Cesurer said that they had to pay 235 million TL in the last month. Emphasizing that KIB-TEK continues to sell significantly below cost, Cesurer stated that the deficit is increasing. Pointing out that KIB-TEK should be strengthened administratively, Cesurer said, “We want the autonomy law to be implemented urgently so that the situation that KIB-TEK has been dragged into can be solved radically.”
Pointing out that the root of the problem is administrative, Cesurer said, “As long as it is used as the backyard of politicians, the problems will continue.” Emphasizing that there is no need for the Energy Supreme Council, Cesurer stated that the problems can be solved in a short time with the right people.
Pointing out that they are behind the right steps taken as a union, Cesurer said, “The necessary investments should be made before 2024. There is money, money can be recovered in a short time with the right management.”