Tadele Gemechu’s Acquisition of Eneredada Union Properties Raises Questions Over Land Transfers











Two plots of land taken from the Consumers’ Association for development have been put up for sale by the new owners through a broker. According to information reported by Meseret Media, two plots of land that were taken from the Consumers’ Association in the Bole Atlas area and given to an individual and another organization for “development” a few weeks ago have now been put up for sale by the new owners through a broker.

The members of “Eneredada Multipurpose Consumers Union Limited Liability Company,” which has managed two properties behind Mado Hotel and Dessalegn Hotel in Bole sub-district in Addis Ababa for the past 47 years, complained that they were informed that the properties would be transferred to individuals. Mrs. Manyahlushal Kebede, chairman of the association’s board, told the reporter that the holdings were “to be given to an investor and an organization for development, so they should vacate immediately.”

The chairman of the board, who stated that the association had more than 270 members when it was founded, explained that they received a response saying, “We made you leave as per the decision of the administration cabinet of Bole sub-district, district 03 without being informed.” He mentioned that it is inappropriate for the association to release the properties they have managed for many years to give to two investors.

In a letter written to the city administration, the association stated that since the administration had decided to give two plots of land to private individuals, a verbal order was given to them to vacate the plots through the district 3 office. As the order given to the association was shocking and unexpected, they requested a written document to prove which government body issued the order. However, they were told, “There is nothing to be given in writing, as it is an instruction from a higher body, leave the place in two or three days.”

The association pointed out in the letter that one of the holdings of the Eneredada Multipurpose Consumers Union, which is managed by more than 220 members, is 5,700 square meters, and the other, which is located behind Dessalegn Hotel, is 2,400 square meters. Ms. Manyahlushal emphasized that it is unclear why the association’s holdings are being given to only one individual and one organization, especially since the association has 500 million birr in deposit capital in addition to its assets and can develop as required by the city administration.

Alemu Denekou, a member of the Legal Committee of Eneredada Multipurpose Consumers Private Limited Liability Company, added that the two properties of the association, located behind Bole Mado Hotel and Dessalegn Hotel, are legal and have maps. He said that since the association can develop the two holdings to the full extent that the government wants, there is no reason why they should be transferred to other entities.

One and a half months ago, the Consumers’ Union of Andarada, which was called to release these two locations to investors, vacated the premises. The union had held these areas since 1969.

Owned by more than 220 local residents, this Consumers’ Union had one area of 5,000 square meters and another of more than 2,000 square meters.

It is reported that Ato Tadele Gemechu, who purchased these areas, sold one for 91 million birr, while the other was leased to Accordia Investment Group for 175 million birr. According to Meseret Media has learned that this individual and the company are now working through a broker to sell the land at a higher price.

As a result, it is known that the land behind Dessalegn Hotel is being offered for 160 million birr, and the 5,000 square meter plot, where two restaurants were previously located, is being offered for 265 million birr.

The restaurants named Sever and Nathan, which were renting the association’s building (now demolished), were reportedly paying an estimated tax of 50 million birr per year and managing more than 200 employees.