Ankara, February 26 – Excavation contractors in Ankara have voiced strong opposition to the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) following a 100% increase in fees for excavation disposal sites, which they claim is not matched by any improvement in services. The protest comes after the Mamak disposal site, closed for a month due to rain, reopened with severely muddy conditions, causing trucks to get stuck and incurring significant financial losses for businesses.
100% Fee Increase, Zero Service: Contractors’ Outcry
Atilla Tüter, an official from an excavation company, heavily criticized the ABB administration, highlighting both the exorbitant fees and the inadequate service. Tüter stated that the ABB initially imposed a 300% increase on excavation disposal fees, which was later reduced to 100% following public outcry.
“We are paying 5,000 Turkish Lira per truck to ABB, but we are not receiving any service in return. The disposal sites are muddy and deplorable. They say it has been raining for a month, and we couldn’t enter the disposal sites. Today, they opened the sites, and our vehicles got stuck in the mud. Vehicles cannot enter the disposal sites right now. We protested as tradesmen, and only when we started seeking our rights did they begin to make corrections. But it cannot continue like this. The money the municipality charges under the name of service is far too much,” Tüter explained.
Muddy Disposal Sites Halt Operations
Tüter further elaborated that despite the Mamak disposal site being closed for a month due to rain, the ground conditions were not improved before its reopening. This resulted in numerous trucks getting bogged down in the mud, leading to significant delays and damages.
“Our vehicles got stuck in the disposal sites. Currently, vehicles cannot enter. We protested as tradesmen. They only started rectification work when we began to assert our rights, but this cannot continue,” Tüter reiterated, emphasizing that the municipality is failing to deliver on its service obligations despite the high fees.
Financial Burden and Operational Challenges
Tüter pointed out the immense financial strain on contractors, stating that after traveling 20-30 kilometers to the disposal site, they are left with only 1,500 Turkish Lira profit per trip after paying the 5,000 Turkish Lira fee. He questioned how the municipality could charge such high fees while the disposal sites remain in such poor condition.
A truck belonging to Tüter’s company reportedly overturned at the Mamak disposal site, with all repair costs falling on the company. “There was no assistance from the disposal site. We speak to the excavator, asking them to pull out our vehicle. Our vehicle got stuck, there is material damage, we will file a report, and we have notified the gendarmerie and the municipal police. We have stated all our complaints. Despite this, they held our vehicle hostage for 4 hours and did not pull it out. We had to pull out our vehicle with our own means. We are also tradesmen, trying to earn our bread. What is ABB’s attitude towards tradesmen? We cannot make a living in Ankara,” Tüter lamented.
30-Fold Increase in Two Years
Before taking office, Mansur Yavaş, the Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, promised Ankara residents that the city would be “Turkey’s richest but cheapest capital,” vowing to reduce costs and implement an economic management approach. However, the dramatic increase in excavation disposal fees contradicts these statements.
According to sector representatives, the excavation disposal fee, which was 6.93 Turkish Lira two years ago, has gradually increased to 192 Turkish Lira, representing a “record 30-fold increase.” This surge in fees is not only impacting contractors but also directly affecting construction costs, with a ripple effect on housing prices and rents.
The ABB administration, which came to power with slogans of “cheap capital” and “accessible Ankara,” has faced criticism for the significant increases in excavation fees, a fundamental component of the construction sector. Excavation contractors are urging the municipality to reconsider its pricing policy and improve service quality, citing their plight due to high costs and inadequate physical conditions at the sites.
