Traders in Lakes State have attributed the increase of prices for basic consumer goods to poor infrastructure and high business running costs in Rumbek.
Christopher Tabo, who leads the Traders Union of Investors from Equatoria in Rumbek, told Good News Radio that food prices are rising because of the high costs of transport and rent of business premises.Mr. Tabo appealed to the South Sudanese government to invest more in good roads to allow the efficient transportation of goods.
He also requested the Government to give investors soft loans and ensure availability of dollars in commercial banks, arguing that these changes would contribute towards business growth and development.
Mariam David, a Rumbek resident, said the issue of high prices is affecting negatively consumers.
Another consumer, Mary Nyanjur Makoi, said people with low income cannot afford goods in the market.
The two women asked the Government to meet the traders and discuss how to solve the crisis.
Prices of basic food commodities shot up tremendously in the past week in Rumbek: meat rose from 10 to 15 pounds per kilo and eggs from 30 to 45 pounds.