Yet more downright robbery

[sophie]

We're in Alsancak and we are now being charged an extra 23tl towards the street lighting on top of what we are already charged eached month. This is presumably our portion of the outstanding Kibtek bill owed by Alsancak Belediye!!

[Royalcorpsoftranspor]

Join the club we are being charged TL 15 in Catalkoy.

[iancrumpy]

"Yet more downright robbery" ... Sophie, some would call it day-light robbery ... or maybe in this case night-light robbery

And unfortunately you'll almost certainly still have to pay something to the belediye (as well as to Kibtek) for the outside lighting

But I, for one, still love the old TR of NC ... Certainly wish I was there now

[puppylover]

I thought that when the Prime Minister was questioned about this issue on 15th February, he stated that people should only pay the charge for street lighting to Kib-Tek?

[Muad_dib]

We used to pay Lapta Belediye 6.67TLfor lighting ,now paying Kibtek 16.29TL plus KDV.I must admit i wasn,t surprised, it's only what i expected

[iancrumpy]

I thought that when the Prime Minister was questioned about this issue on 15th February, he stated that people should only pay the charge for street lighting to Kib-Tek?

As far as I know, the municipalities are still expecting some payment for lighting of parks ... while Kibtek will collect for street lighting ... or something like that. However, I heard the Consumers' Association had taken legal action against the pair of them for "double charging". But Puppylover - I could be wrong though - it's not easy trying to follow what's going on in Cyprus from the other side of the world

[bigOz]

Someone has to pay for all the idle work-force employed as a direct result of vote picking during elections!

[puppylover]

Ian,

You might be on the other side of the world, but it is appreciated that you source news items etc that are of interest for those of us that are interested.


What I find strange is that the charges vary from area to area

[Stevie C]

Why do we have to pay these extra costs when we dont even have street lights and have not had any for 7 years.

Corrupt to the core!!!

[Maisiemoo]

We didn't have street lighting for 8 years, when we questioned Alsancak Belydere over this, they said 'Do you walk or drive down the main road, your money goes to this', & now it seems they weren't even paying it over? Unbelievable!

[bigOz]

If it was "eyebob" he would have told you: "if you do not like it then go back to where you came from!". However as someone who has great sympathy and respect for people from Europe who decided to set home here, all I can say is do not be content with just complaining in a forum but use the press and lobby just like you would in Europe.

On the lighter side, most of you seem to pay every month, less than the price of a "fish & chips" in North Cyprus!

[Philoz]

Just by way of putting a bit of realism into the debate-back in the UK I had fantastic street lighting.
That was as long as the scroaty kids weren't putting the bulbs out with stones(you don't see any hoodies here for some reason)
However I was paying the best part of £2000 pa in council tax for the privilege.
So get a grip and stop whining about £10 per month.
Typical moaning expats.
Just slipping the tin hat on now.

[Maisiemoo]

It's not the paying of the money that's the problem, it's who is legally bound to collect the payment. I can understand the council have to upkeep the lighting but if they've taken the money for the electricity and failed to pay it over to Kib-tek then that's fraud.

[foodie]

Here hear Maisiemoo. Only here in North Cyprus they could have the blatant cheek to do this. No shame at all. Its really not the money but the principle, which these people and the politicians seem to lack.

[bigOz]

It is not exactly "lacking principles" me thinks. It is more a case of having principles that are totally corrupt and self serving. The people who run the show are too busy thinking "how can I fill my pockets while I am in this position", where the overpopulated servants are too scared, saying "what if the organisation runs out of money and we end up getting no wages" i.e. Lefkoşa municipality workers... As long as they can get away with it, they will steal the money from people in dribs and drabs.

[belle]

Yes the system is corrupt in every Government run dept but the biggest robbers are Brits on Brits, lots of con artists trading as do gooders, remember no one does something for nothing no matter what part of the world you are in.

[cyprusishome]

For once I agree with you belle!

[sophie]

No PhilOz, I don't think I am a wingeing Brit. Most of the time I love it here and most of the time I pay out and shut up - even though I know that I'm being ripped off i.e. double prices in some cafes and some hairdressers etc., but when the local Belediye rip me off every single month for their downright inefficiency and incompetence, then I get upset.

[belle]

For once I agree with you belle!

Wow now that is a 1st

[Rambling Rose]

Actually here is a second ( or is it too firsts?) because for once so do I!

And for goodness sake, who thinks Northern Cyprus is the only place where corruption exists ! The whole global Financial Sector is riddled with it and the British Government just props them up at the cost of our taxes, Probably costs most of us a lot more than the price of a packet of fish and chips.

[belle]

Actually here is a second ( or is it too firsts?) because for once so do I!

And for goodness sake, who thinks Northern Cyprus is the only place where corruption exists ! The whole global Financial Sector is riddled with it and the British Government just props them up at the cost of our taxes, Probably costs most of us a lot more than the price of a packet of fish and chips.

Blimey this is going viral, not used to people agreeing with me

[Munchkin]

Just to make you feel at home belle I don`t agree with ANYTHING you say.

Back to the rip off tax added to electric why isn`t everybody in all areas paying the same amount ? we all use the same lights on the same roads down the same streets ? this government and all the past ones just bring these stupid ill thought out ideas into force without properly thinking it through ? they have caused more damage to the TRNC`s economy with their ridiculous ideas over the last 10 years I've been here than any recession could ever do.

[Sandman]

Given the circumstances of the creation of TRNC you must have all been aware that living there would be problematic !!??
They have been ostracised by the rest of the world - ably assisted by the noble Greeks since 1974.
Unfortunately the Brit government have done nothing to alleviate this situation - all we do is sit back and watch!!
You have watched the place "overdeveloping" with the creation of large housing complexes - often without proper infrastructure.
You have seen people being fleeced - often by Brits and lose their savings.
You must also - surely - be aware that Turkey regards TRNC as a strategic military operation !?
Personally - although I love the place - it would be the last place I would look to settle in - and that is not because of the aforementioned problems but largely because of the expats who for years have sought to change the place to their liking.
Nobody wins unfortunately!!
I don't know if the claim that you are being charged double because you are Brit is genuine but if it is - challenge them and refuse to pay !!

[belle]

Just to make you feel at home belle I don`t agree with ANYTHING you say.

Back to the rip off tax added to electric why isn`t everybody in all areas paying the same amount ? we all use the same lights on the same roads down the same streets ? this government and all the past ones just bring these stupid ill thought out ideas into force without properly thinking it through ? they have caused more damage to the TRNC`s economy with their ridiculous ideas over the last 10 years I've been here than any recession could ever do.

Oh thank God for that, however I wonder why, maybe you are one of those Brits who rip off Brits, who knows eh

[belle]

Given the circumstances of the creation of TRNC you must have all been aware that living there would be problematic !!??
They have been ostracised by the rest of the world - ably assisted by the noble Greeks since 1974.
Unfortunately the Brit government have done nothing to alleviate this situation - all we do is sit back and watch!!
You have watched the place "overdeveloping" with the creation of large housing complexes - often without proper infrastructure.
You have seen people being fleeced - often by Brits and lose their savings.
You must also - surely - be aware that Turkey regards TRNC as a strategic military operation !?
Personally - although I love the place - it would be the last place I would look to settle in - and that is not because of the aforementioned problems but largely because of the expats who for years have sought to change the place to their liking.
Nobody wins unfortunately!!
I don't know if the claim that you are being charged double because you are Brit is genuine but if it is - challenge them and refuse to pay !!

Good old expats eh they want it all, cheap property and all the goodies they can grab whilst ripping each other off and moaning like hell

[mamachina]

We're Alsancak too - and we've got an extra 19tl on our Kibtek bill this month. Dont seem to have any on the monthly Bel bill for water - and havent had half yearly one yet. Does eeem odd different streets, differing amounts - the nearest light to us is down on the corner - but at least there is one!! Our old house in Incesu had lovely new lights, watched them put bulbs in, but theyve never been connected!!

[kiplet]

wonder if the locals pay this additional amount ???

[cyprusishome]

Every body pays.

I will repeat a comment allegedly made by PM Kucuk when asked why we had to pay two charges and in real Cypriot fashion he allegedly said do not pay one of them!! Too lazy to go back to his office, or opening the latest kebab shop, to go and sort it out.

[Rambling Rose]

Well said Sandman and - Belle we must stop agreeing like this!

As for being "ripped off " in cafes and hairdressers - they used to be cheap enough but expats (not just Brits) came without doing their hhomework and with more money than sense and accepted silly prices - well you dont look gift horses in the mouth do you? You have a choice with cafes and hairdressers, you dont have to use them . Do it yourself as some of us have to due to rocketing prices! Electricity also used to be cheaper, but Brits expected a larger supply to run lots of fancy devices that did not used to be available here and things went haywire in the scramble to catch up.

As for different prices for different areas - well surely the supply differs from area to area, generally the towns use many more KWs than the villages and the new estates (once connected) than rural areas and traditional housing (again a result of demand and supply). I know one road that has hardly any lighting and no footpaths , apart from two short stretches outside new housing which have pavements with street lights every five yards! Are they unlit areas (which are thrown into shadow and where drivers lose their night sight due to driving through brightly lit areas) to pay the same as the more fortunate neighbours?

[Jonnie]

I am cautious where and how I shop, I watch and listen to what is being paid by locals and I speak a little Turkish, I reckon I do OK.

[BLUE BUTTERFLY]

wonder if the locals pay this additional amount ???

Yes, we do, we live in rented property, electric and belideye bills are in TC landlords name.

We pay an additional 16tl on electric bill and 4tl to the belideye.

[ozonkoyboy]

Any one know if its happened in Ozonkoy I know neighbouring Calackoy have been charged
Just a thought

[ozonkoyboy]

sorry slipped finger it was supposed to say Catalkoy (damn spell cheater)

[tutor4u]

On the lighter side, most of you seem to pay every month, less than the price of a "fish & chips" in North Cyprus!

I am beginning to think that you are having a "Fish & Chip" Senior Moment

[BLUE BUTTERFLY]

wonder if the locals pay this additional amount ???

Yes, we do, we live in rented property, electric and belideye bills are in TC landlords name.

We pay an additional 16tl on electric bill and 4tl to the belideye.

Ozonkoyboy. I am in Ozankoy. With an A

[Rambling Rose]

Does anyone seriously think that they have the facilities to separate out each individual property by nationality of owner/occupier and separately invoice them? Surely that it carring zenophobia too far?

Fish and Chip senior moment? I think I must have got high as I drooled with longing on the Fish and Chip Thread.

But the contrast between the preoccupations and degrees of indignation between the two threads reallly was rather funny, in a sad sort of way

[ozonkoyboy]

BB
Good for you