Rumbek Centre County Commission Mawet Manuer said his county has not had fuel since July. He said that is when the road leading to his county, which houses the capital of Lakes state, was washed out by rains.
The only option, he said, is to use fuel brought in from the black market. Twenty litres can cost as much as 400 SSP, if it can be found at all. In Juba 20 litres costs 120 SSP. The fuel is so expensive because it is being transported over the poor roads by boda boda.
“Our offices are working because we purchased from dealers at black market prices and some of the offices are using solar power,” he said.
Fuel prices aren’t the only ones that have been affected. The price of 20 kilograms of flour, for instance, is now 100 SSP.
Manuer said there is some hope that prices will start to come down if more traders can make it into the area. Last week petrol dropped to 350 SSP in some areas. But he said prices will only drop back to normal once the road dries out and transportation can start again.
Radio Tamazuj could not reach state government for comment because the phone lines in the area were down.