Residents of Western Equatoria state’s Maridi County are complaining about a rapid increase in prices of consumer goods.
They say the prices of some consumer goods have risen by more than 50 percent over the last one month, according to a report by Maridi FM.
The price of wheat flour has risen from 12 to 25 South Sudanese Pounds, leading to an increase in the prices of bread. A bar of soap now costs 6 pounds up from 4 pounds a few days ago.
A 3-liter container of cooking oil has increased to 35 from 25 South Sudanese pounds a few weeks ago. Miss Aisha Abdu, a resident of Malakia One says she can no longer afford to feed her family.
Maridi FM says that traders attribute the rapid increase in commodity prices to the poor state of roads in the area, which have lead to an increase in transport costs.
Baraka Moses, a trader, says the high exchange rate of dollars has also contributed to the increase in prices. He also says traders have had to increase prices to meet the high taxes imposed by authorities.
Maridi County Chamber of Commerce officials say they are working to repair the road so as to reduce transport costs. Beneth Khamis, head of the Chamber of Commerce says repairing the road will take a while.
File photo: Trucks stranded on the Yei-Maridi road