News Ombudsman forwards condominium case to Parliament
December 28, 2024
The Ethiopian institution of the Ombudsman has asked lawmakers to provide a final solution for public outcries over a controversial auction carried out by the Addis Ababa City Administration Housing Corporation last March.
The Ombudsman has forwarded a case involving allegations of a rigged auction under the government’s 20/80 public housing scheme to the parliamentary Democratic Affairs Committee.
The case involves close to a thousand people who saved nearly 145 million birr in closed accounts over the span of two decades in hopes of receiving low-cost housing under the scheme.
However, the Corporation in charge of the scheme has placed more than 3,100 housing units, as well as 306 retail spaces, up for auction. The move drew heavy criticism from the savers, who had hoped to receive their units during the 14th round condominium lottery draw.
They submitted a letter to the Ombudsman on the day the auction was announced, asking it to intervene. However, the Ombudsman has been unable to sway the Corporation despite through letters, phone calls, and in-person visits.
Sources told The Reporter the Ombudsman has forwarded the case to Parliament for a solution.
“Since the matter is beyond our capacity, we have sent it to you to look further into it and provide a solution,” reads a letter addressed to the Democratic Affairs Committee.
The petitioners have been informed of their right to appear at a future parliamentary hearing and plead their case. A 17-member committee representing their interests is in the process of selecting individuals to appeal to lawmakers, according to the petitioners.