Consumer prices in South Sudan registered an increase of 71.7 percent in one year and they have to be regulated in order for families to be able to cope with the soaring cost of living and make ends meet.
The Director of Economic Statistics at the National Bureau of Statistics, David Chan Thiang, explained to CRN News that the Consumer Price Index is a process of tracking the prices in a basket of basic goods and services most used by South Sudanese families.He added that the goods in the basket indicate consumer patterns of the average households in the country.
Mr Chan said a recent survey conducted in local markets in Juba, Wau and Malakal shows that goods have become more expensive to the average families in South Sudan due to annual higher inflation which stands at 71.7 percent.
Mr Chan suggested that the government should set a regulatory body to make sure that prices are controlled without affecting traders and consumers.
He said illegal tax road blocks have been cleared a month ago but the prices remain high.
He added that although the crisis of fuel is over, the prices did not come down and when next crisis comes the fuel will be even more expensive.
Although the government is reducing taxes and closing illegal collection posts, prices are stubbornly higher in the markets of south Sudan and consumers have to struggle to cope with high cost of living in the new nation.