Drivers in Adama (Nazareth) town, 90Km east of the capital, are compelled to meet their fuel demands under the table at high prices due to supply shortages. The long queue contests the main roads of the cities as drivers stay deadly frustrated with the hours of wait.

Following the government's plan to phase out fuel subsidies in a year, Authorities at the Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration raised fuel prices by about 10pc this January, the third adjustment in less than nine months. A litre of diesel increased by 13pc to 67.3 Br, while Benzene rose by seven percent to 67.29 Br a litre.

According to Kidus Dereje, manager at one of the NOC gas stations, a truck every couple of weeks comes to the station with close to 20,000ltr, two-thirds of their reservoir. He said they regularly call the police when a fuel truck arrives, fearing the chaos that unfolds in the queues.

"We've lost a co-worker during an altercation," he said.

The demand has risen by an average of 14pc annually over the past decade. The "vendors" collect fuel from several stations through motorcycles. Esubalew Getachew, 26, makes his living through this process. He sends out motorcycles to towns, including nearby towns. He said most of his customers are vehicles demanding small amounts, such as motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles.

The state-owned Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise is the sole importer of petroleum products. It floats international tenders annually and shipped in 3.7 million tons of fuel at the cost of 72.6 billion Br two years ago.

"Fuel consumption has been increasing gradually with the unresponsive government to the clamour," says Afework Tilahun, a board member at the Ethiopian Petroleum Dealers Association.

Kaleab Solomon, a three-wheel vehicle driver in Adama town, prefers the unlawful and pricy route of paying 110 Br a litre, from the endless lines at the gas stations are time-consuming. The frequent need for relatively less volume has made Kaleab turn to "vendors" catering to his need starting from two litres for 220 Br.