By Yiep Joseph
Traders affected by Konyokonyo fire outbreak that left over 56 well-stocked shops burnt have called on the government and well-wishers to extend a hand of help.
On Thursday, several stalls occupied by traders dealing in clothes, bags, and electronics, as well as food items, were ravaged by fire in Konkonyo Main market. This came when business was at its peak as people prepare for Christmas and the new year.
The fire, which broke out in the afternoon, destroyed goods worth millions of South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), leaving affected traders devastated and hopeless.
President Salva Kiir issued a statement directing the Central Equatoria state government, City Council, as well as security organs to investigate the cause.
In response to President Salva Kiir’s order, Central Equatoria State Governor Augustino Jadalla formed a seven-member committee to investigate the incident.
CES governor also tasked the committee to investigate the cause of the fire and report back within two weeks. However, there was not clarity on whether the affected traders will be compensated or not.
In an exclusive interview in Konyokonyo market, Magutu Daniel, one of the traders whose shop stocked with children’s clothes was burnt to ashes, called for public support.
“We are calling on the president and business institutions to connect us with those who can help or support directly,” Magutu said.
While in complete tears, Magutu said that he used more than 15 million Uganda shillings to purchase clothes to be sold in South Sudan.
“My shop was full of new clothes for children; they cost me 15 million Uganda shillings, but they all got burnt. Now I am left with nothing,” he said.
He revealed that some of his colleagues who borrowed money to do business in South Sudan have also been left with nothing after the incident.
He called on the Sudanese and Ugandan governments to team up and support the traders in order to reduce frustration.
“As traders, the market that got burnt, many of us are from Uganda and South Sudan. I know we are many, but those two countries can come together and give us support,” he said.
Mary Sofia, a trader dealing in women’s clothes, urged the government to provide a small fund for the traders.
The 36-year-old expressed that trading in clothes has been the only livelihood she has in Juba.
“We just need immediate support, just small money to start another business. Imagine the clothes that got burnt in this shop were my only source of bread; I have nothing else,” she said.
He called on the non-governmental organizations and well-wishers to support them, adding that most of them commit suicide due to frustrations.
“We need NGOs and well-wishers to help us; most of us are frustrated since we lost all that pay school fees and food for ourselves and children,” he said.
Magi Tagana reiterated the urge for the government to provide each trader affected by the fire incident with at least one million SSP in order to start a new life.
“I appealed to the government to give each of us one million SSP; this can help us to start our business, like opening kiosks or selling fruits,” he said.
He blamed the firefighters for delaying the rescue of the shops, adding that some of the shops could not have been burnt to ashes.
He called on the chamber of commerce to carry out resource mobilization to help those affected.
The CES issued a statement on Friday confirming the losses after a series of assessments and inspections in the affected part of the market.
The state, however, did not reveal the names of the members but vowed to investigate the cause and ways to help those affected.