TÜKODER Yalova Branch President Kaçar made a statement regarding the difficulties experienced in natural gas bill payments

TÜKODER Yalova Branch President Gürkan Kaçar made a statement regarding the difficulties experienced in natural gas bill payments. Kaçar stated that MarmaraGaz officials canceled direct debit instructions without providing any information or making a press statement due to a change of company. He noted that as a result, bank payments became impossible and that the company’s own counters remained closed. He mentioned that citizens were turned away from the relevant institutions when they went to pay their natural gas bills. Kaçar expressed that the previous natural gas company also caused similar issues but addressed citizens’ grievances without charging late fees, stating, “If the company charged interest from citizens during this troubled period, it should refund it.”

Emphasizing that citizens should not be victimized, Kaçar pointed out that consumers could seek their rights by applying to the Provincial Directorate of Commerce. He also mentioned that the association was ready to provide necessary information to citizens, saying: “MarmaraGaz officials canceled direct debit instructions due to a change of company without providing any information or making a press statement. They have not opened the counters that should be available within their institution because bank payments could not be made. When citizens went to the relevant institution to pay their natural gas bills, they could not make the payment. Similar situations occurred with the previous company as well. The previous company did not charge late fees. In the same situation with the previous company, late fees were not charged, and citizens’ grievances were addressed. They also activated the counters immediately. At that time, citizens’ grievances were promptly resolved. In the current situation, late fees should not be charged to citizens. If the company charged late fees during this troubled period, it should refund them. When I spoke with the company officials, they mentioned that they had agreements with a few banks. However, no one knows which banks because they did not make a statement. Citizens can only find out by asking each bank themselves.”

Kaçar stated that citizens should not be victimized and that action should be taken as soon as possible, saying, “There has been a backlog at PTT branches. A service fee of 6 TL is also charged at PTT branches. This difference should not be charged. This is not a situation caused by the customer. It is a matter that the company itself must resolve. The company is the one that will make the necessary interventions. This issue can also go to the Consumer Arbitration Committee. No application has been received by the association regarding this matter. However, our citizens who are victims can go to the Provincial Directorate of Commerce and make the necessary applications. We can also provide necessary information to citizens at our association. Citizens should not be victimized. The company needs to take action as soon as possible.”