Yetebaberut’s Old Airport gas station was finally opened on Monday afternoon, February 18,2013, four days after being shut down by the Lideta district Trade & Industry Bureau. It was accused of selling fuel in barrels to a retailer, which officials from Addis Abeba City Trade & Industry Bureau (AACTIB) claim trespasses ‘a directive’ from the Ministry of Trade (MoT).
Manager and owner of the gas station, Dawit Asfaw, is still frustrated with the move, insisting that selling oil either in retail or in bulk is a normal way of doing business. Officials at AACTIB however, maintain that it is illegal, especially during times of an oil shortage. Along with Yetebabrut’s station, the Bureau had closed down five other stations, citing the same reason. Furthermore, it claimed that the transaction caused a traffic congestion along the road.
Before Yetebaberut’s station was opened, Dawit had to sign a warning letter issued by the AACTIB. Though he signed the document, he claims that he will take the case to court.