Ministry inspectors find corruption at disaster management agency

Photo: Çanakkale Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate

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Inspectors from the Ministry of Interior have found corruption at the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), according to a parliamentary question by an opposition deputy.

Various equipment to be used at disaster times that were registered to be bought could not be found in the depots of the agency in the province of Çanakkale, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Ali Kenanoğlu said in a parliamentary question to Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu.

Tents, blankets, computer equipment and search and rescue equipment worth millions of lira are among the missing items, according to the motion.

Also, inspectors found dozens of tires and rims that are not suitable for the vehicles of the agency.

The agency paid millions to small shop owners by issuing irregular invoices and bought computer equipment at values well above the market, Kenanoğlu said.

The irregularities have been going on since 2016, Kenanoğlu noted, citing the inspection reports and asked the minister why they were not able to detect the corruption for such a long time.

He also asked whether the personnel involved in the irregularities were dismissed and whether the financial losses will be collected from those who are responsible. (SO/AÖ/VK)