By Yang Ater Yang
Lakes State minister of commerce, trade and industry has urged traders in Rumbek town to lower the high prices of food commodities in the market biting poor citizens.
The traders in a meeting with the State minister of commerce, and Rumbek town mayor also agreed to organize fundraising to support Rumbek University of Science and Technology (RUST) which is facing difficulties in its operation in Lakes State.
These developments transpired after the state minister of commerce, trade and industry and the Town mayor of Rumbek town held a meeting with traders at Akonbuoi Hall in Rumbek Thursday.
Minister of commerce and trade and industry, Rebecca Enock Machuoc urged the traders in their meeting to reduce prices of basic food items in order to allow local communities and people residing in the state capital to afford essential commodities in Rumbek market.
“We have talked a lot about the issue of daily increase of food commodities in Rumbek market and we have talked a lot about the issue of Rumbek University of science and technology and the traders have agreed to reduce consumables food prices and they also agreed to organize fundraising to contribute anything to support Rumbek University,” said minister Enock.
She further said the roads are currently accessible because there is no insecurity and rain meaning vehicles are no longer delayed on the road for many days, which should be a boost for the trade in the state.
The trade minister noted that the issue of high renting and high charges from blockers cited by traders will be seen by the committee which shall be formed to make market assessment of prices in Rumbek town.
“The price of the bag of maize flow can be purchased within the market at cheaper price by a local trader and it can be sold in gallon or in cups to the local citizen who cannot afford a price of bag of maize flow at the expensive price which earns a lot of profit to a local trader in the market,” she lamented.
Minister Enock revealed that the government in Lakes State and Rumbek Town mayor will form a committee to make an assessment of prices in Rumbek market.
“The traders have unanimously agreed to organize fundraising to support Rumbek University of science and technology. This fundraising is not only money. But it is inform of anything that the willing traders have in possession to support Rumbek University.” she said. She added that it is not part of their rent or tax collected from the traders but it is anything to contribute such as sugar, flour among others.
The Chairperson of Chamber of Commerce in Lakes State, Martin Meen Dut affirmed that the meeting between the traders and the minister of commerce, trade and industry in Lakes State agreed to form a committee to assess the issue of high prices of food commodities in Rumbek market.
Meen said the issue of daily increase of food prices in Rumbek market is discussed with traders and the traders are complaining a lot about the issue of high rates of US dollars but they have agreed to reduce the prices.
He attested that the only most expensive commodities in Rumbek market are maize flour and sugar.
“But we have told them this issue of dollar needs to be put aside in order for local citizens in the state to survive,” he said.
Meen urged the traders that the items which were purchased when US dollars was low need to be sold at the normal price and not at the current high rate of USD dollars.
“You increased the price when US dollar rate has gone up and reduce it when it drops” Meen appealed to the traders.