Turkey’s Public Housing Administration (TOKİ) declined to respond inquiries regarding the cost of new presidential palace [known as Ak Saray] in Ankara, saying that it would “damage economic interests” of the country.
The statement was made after Chamber of Architects submitted an official inquiry within Inquiries Law regarding all the cost associated with the new presidential palace.
“Our administration found it unsuitable to provide information on the inquiry according to Inquiries Law Article 17 on the exclusion of documents or information that would concern economic interests,” TOKİ said in a statement without providing any further details.
TOKİ also added that such inquiries must be forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Chamber of Architects Ankara Section Chairman Tezcan Karakuş Candan said they would object the response according to the Inquiries Law.
Candan: The cost must be terrifying then
Tezcan Karakuş Candan commented on TOKİ’s response:
“We have previously declared that the cost of this ‘clandestine’ palace could be over 5 million liras [around 1.75 million euros] and this could even the tip of the iceberg.
“If TOKİ declines to disclose the cost of the palace for protecting economic interests, then it is so terrifying that it would create a speculative situation at the stocks.
“If the cost was what the Finance Ministry announced before [1.5 million liras], then they would at least disclose that number. We can definitely say that the cost is more than that.
“Because they are spending the nation’s money, they are trying to find excuses like ‘the nation’s palace’, but this is no way acceptable.” (BK/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.
