The Addis Ababa city administration land development management bureau is to repossess plots of land that have been fenced by 18 embassies and international agencies but left idle for several years.
The bureau has talked on the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, said Jemal Ali, head of the bureau, while presenting a nine-month performance report to the standing committee of the city’s council.
During the discussion with the Ministry, an agreement was reached to give new plots of land when the embassies and agencies are ready for development. Among the embassies include the embassy of Saudi Arabia. It fenced and left unused the property it received from the city administration for the past 23 years.
Only the embassy of India has begun development after several years of delay.
Pertinent bodies contacted by FBC declined to mention the names of the other embassies and agencies.
While presenting the report, he also indicated that measures were taken against 244 holders out of the total 7, 259 who acquired land by a lease holding system.
Some 20 were also charged with failure to make payment as per the lease agreement.
