Citizens in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have complained about the rise in prices of food and non-food items in local markets owing to measures against the spread of coronavirus.

Ajien Deng, a resident of Aweil town, told Radio Tamazuj on Saturday that living conditions are hard in the lockdown period.

Rose Ibrahim, another resident, called on the government to stop traders from increasing food prices in markets.

However, several traders have justified the hike in prices, citing the challenges they are now encountering when importing goods from neighboring Sudan, Uganda and Kenya through Juba.

Mohamed Osman, a Sudanese trader, said they are facing a lot of difficulties from the Sudanese authorities who usually confiscate some of their goods destined for markets in South Sudan.

For his part, Garang Akot, a pharmacist, said they are striving to ensure citizens receive essential healthcare services.

Malong Deng Nyuany, a representative of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Chamber of Commerce acknowledged the deplorable conditions in which citizens are living during the lockdown period.

He warned that the situation could worsen in the coming rainy season.