Business men and women in Yei town are raising their concerns that the closure of borders due to threats of corona virus has increased of prices of goods because of expensive transportation of commodities.
Jane Ja’be, a retail seller of onions at Dar el Salam market, said they use to buy goods from Uganda, but due to the closure of the border they buy things from Juba which doubles the amount of money used for buying goods in the neighbouring countries.
She explained that currently a basin of onions which sold at 7000 SSP is now at 10,000 Pounds as a result of buying it at high price from Juba.
Ferida Comport said a sack of onions is bought at 25000 SSP from Juba which amount in Uganda buys 200 kilo grams of onions at USD 100.
She prays that the situation changed in order for people to work and reduce the burden because currently many people do work due to the order and directives issued to slow the spread of the virus.
Ferida appealed to other traders not to take advantage of the disease to raise prices because the situation forced by corona is not good for citizens.
The woman urged business men and women to be merciful to vulnerable citizens especially the elderly who are unable to afford buying a meal due to the increase of prices.
The Business lady is afraid that the congestion of people in the market and the continued ignorance of the precaution measures to contain corona virus may not slow the spread of the disease should it be confirmed in the country.
Charity Awate, a mother who takes care of children in school and providing all necessary needs in the house, said after increasing 5 SSP to bread has slowed down her business making it difficult for her to provide meals for her family.
She said the family resorted to only taking tea with the bread as usual meals because her business has been affected.
Bida Charles Joseph said in order not to stop their business they welcomed the order banning carrying more than one passenger on a motorcycle to protect them from contracting the disease since.
He appealed to fellow boda-boda riders to abide by the directives and cooperate with authorities.
Dar-el Salam is currently the most active operating marketing in Yei town which host a big number of people and supplies other markets in the rural areas of Ombasi and Mugwo.