The Aweil North County Commissioner, Kiir Chan Wol, has issued a local order banning the arbitrary sale of fresh produce including grain, beans, and fruits to control market prices and directed security operatives to implement the directive.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Commissioner Chan said the directive was issued to all the traders across the county to avoid selling produce on roadsides and in gardens to check price hikes.
“We are working hard to control the random selling of grain on roadsides and we have directed all traders to operate only inside the local markets rather than conducting activities in alleyways and highways as this may contribute to unimaginable food prices,” he stated.
According to the commissioner, the resolution was passed during a county security meeting held on Tuesday after the authorities realized an influx of traders buying food items in bulk.
For his part, a local trader, Longar Wol, commended the commissioner for issuing the order, saying that it would deter traders from buying and hoarding produce and later selling at exorbitant prices.
“The county authorities have the right because some strange merchants come from different places and increase the market prices and it is the role of the county officials to control local prices,” he said. “A unit of 3.5 kg of sorghum is now sold at SSP 3,500 yet it was 3,000 last week. 1.5 kg of groundnuts was selling at 1,500 and it now costs 2,000.”
Meanwhile, a local resident who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity, criticized the order, saying that markets in Aweil North County are controlled by the floods and the dwellers are unable to access them and exhibit and sell their products.
“This order is unacceptable, totally wrong and it will affect the locals because they have needs to fulfill,” he charged. “The market, including Pamat Market in Malual Center Payam, are all flooded and many citizens are unable to access marketplaces.”