Aweil residents decry skyrocketing prices of basic commodities

AWEIL — The residents of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State on Saturday decried skyrocketing prices of basic commodities in the markets due to a deteriorating economic situation.

A cross-section of Aweil residents who spoke to the Sudans Post on Saturday said the prices for both food and non-food items have skyrocketed.

Mary Adut, a resident of Aweil, said food price and fuel hikes had negatively impacted business.

“What happened yesterday is shocking; the price of fuel has gone up. A little used to be 9,500 SSP, and it has gone to 15,000 SSP per liter,” Adut told Sudans Post.

“This has infuriated me; the fee for boda-boda has also gone up; riders now charge 20,000 SSP for a short trip.”

Another resident, James Dut Garang, stated that the increase in market prices has made it difficult for them to afford goods.

“Since this increase of the fuel prices, including consumable goods, began, our work has been brought to its knees,” said Garang.

Garang attributed the hike in prices to insufficient cooperation between sellers and market administrators, as well as the regulation of the market by the chamber of commerce, which has led to a lack of effective pricing strategies and communication that could stabilize the market.

“The market seems uncontrolled, and the government is adamant in doing anything about this. It is the dry season, and the roads are passable.”

Deng Makol Athian, Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, denied the allegations that they are collaborating with traders to increase prices, including the price of fuel.

“The claims that the market sellers and the chamber of commerce have a deal are not true; people just increase the prices without contacting us in the chamber,” Makol said.

Makol stated that they are a private entity that collaborates with the town mayoral authorities to assess the prices.

“We review the prices, and anybody can’t beat his chest and say the dollar is up and begin increasing. This is uncalled for; we never cooperated with these people.”

“Nobody has reached a decision to sharply increase prices as they are seen this week in the commodities,” he said.

He assured the residents of their intention to involve local authorities in addressing this issue to help mitigate the hardships faced by the community.

With the increase in commodity prices, 50 kg of sugar now sells at 500,000 SSP, residents are concerned about the potential consequences as the rainy season approaches and conditions worsen.