Yirol West County authorities on Wednesday moved in to reduce the cost of drinks and transports.
Yirol West County Commissioner Makur Kulang Lia told Good News Radio over the phone that the decision to control prices of soft drinks and bus fares was made under his jurisdiction.He said traders and public service transport providers had earlier increased their prices based on an excuse that road blocks and checkpoints had increased the cost of goods and public transports.
Mr. Kulang added that he did not see any reason for maintaining high prices on basic goods especially after the central Government cleared of all illegal checkpoints on public roads.
Mary Adeng Majak the Acting Clerk said that the decision to reduce the prices was also aimed at protecting the unemployed or other low income earners against high prices.
She added that traders accepted the move by the county authority to place a price control on goods, because they increased prices without any prior consultations with the Government.
Traders requested the Government to control fuel prices.
The fare from Yirol to Rumbek has been reduced from 100 pounds to 60 and travellers from Yirol to Juba will now pay less 70 pounds. A 500ml bottle of water which was retailing at four pounds was reduced to two and soft drinks, tea and milk have also been reduced by two and one pound.