Mayor scoops 11 million in emergency rooms – VG

Herøy mayor Arnulf Goksøyr received millions to operate a reception center, which at times was totally empty.

Right-mayor was one of many who last fall ran emergency commissioned by UDI. From November 20, he offered 180 seats at what had earlier been a camp on the bird island Runde.

Although the number of asylum seekers fell dramatically in December, the contract was extended for a period until 19 February this year.

The price for one room lay in December of 700 million a day, regardless of it being used. Thus UDI paid around 11 million to the company Christineborg Gjesthus AS, where Anulf Goksøyr is chairman and sole shareholder.

In mid-December had not a single applicant come to the natural beauty of the island. Also in February stood empty. The last two weeks of December and in January stayed respectively 135 and 125 people at the reception.

UDI 7000 reception center seats laid down

Stood on the municipal list

When VG mentioned agreement in December, won the mayor criticized for adopting a dual role. Kjell Round in People Lista / The Center asked Goksøyr explain how the agreement with UDI came about.

Goksøyr has not answered repeated requests VG. Sunnmørsposten he has previously explained that the campsite his stood on a list compiled municipality of possible akuttinnkvarteringer, upon request from the County. After a short time he was contacted by the UDI. The mayor pleaded later disqualified in all matters dealing with asylum centers.

Christine Borg Gjesthus AS had seven million in revenue in 2015, an increase of five million the previous year. The surplus was however modest 55.000 million.

258 million of unused seats

Many of emergency that was created last fall has only been partially used.

Learn more: 12,000 reception places were empty in June

the unused capacity cost the government about 258 million last year. For the first six months amounted to cost NOK 374 million so far this year, estimates UDI.

– All acute spots are now discontinued, but it has in dismantling phase been great availability after arrivals went abruptly down in December, wrote Acting Deputy Director Knut Henrik Berntsen in an e-mail to VG in July.

He stressed that the calculations are made based on full occupancy, and that one usually utilizes approximately 85 percent of the seats.

At the most UDI had 17,000 emergency places scattered throughout the country. All agreements are terminated because very few have sought asylum in Norway this year, compared with last year.