Motorists in the Kuajok town of Warrap State are upset about the rise in the prices of fuel in the area. A litre that typically sells for 400 SSP was selling this week for 650 SSP.
Insecurity in the disputed Abyei area and delays in the clearance of Ugandan and Kenyan trucks have created a backlog of haulage trucks at the Nimule border for the last few days.
Deng Deng, a motorist in Kuajok, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the price of a litre of fuel has increased from 400 SSP to 650 SSP in the area.
“The increase of fuel prices has affected us because we have not passed the cost on to the passengers. It is bad with us because the first mayor didn’t increase but when we tell our customers to at least increase the fare from 3,000 SSP to 4,000 SSP, they refuse,” Deng said.
Kur Junubi, a bodaboda operator, said:” We have many challenges, we pay 1,200 SSP for two litres, and it gets finished within one hour when moving in town. If you charge people higher they refuse.”
For his part, Kuajok Town Mayor Ayok Chol Ayok confirmed that the prices of fuel are shooting up in the area. Chol blamed the problem on the recent fighting between armed groups from Twic and Ngok Dinka communities.
“The issue of fuel prices is because of conflicts on the roads. The recent fighting in Anet between Twic youth and Ngok Dinka has stopped the traders from bringing fuel from Sudan to Kuajok via Abyei,” he concluded.