Pibor town, the seat of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), is running low on basic necessities since the key route connecting the town to the capital, Juba, has been blocked for the last two weeks owing to insecurity.
The head of the GPAA chamber of business, Zechariah Nyiboy, indicated in a Radio Tamazuj article seen by NCMP on Wednesday that most commodities had run out since they have not been able to replenish because the Juba-Pibor Road has been inaccessible owing to instability since the beginning of the year.
“Goods have ran out of stock at the Pibor market.” “We’ve only been able to deliver the most basic items, such as salt, sugar, and wheat, utilizing airplanes,” Nyiboy said. “Prices have soared; for example, a sachet of salt that cost 100 SSP a month ago is now 700 SSP.”
The merchant urged the government to assist so that they could stock up on supplies before rains made the route inaccessible.
“A sack of wheat has climbed from 20 000 SSP to 35 000 SSP, a 20 liter of oil has risen from 20 000 SSP to 26, 000 SSP, and it is still rising, and a bag of sugar sack currently sells for 83 500 SSP,” Nyoboy said. The problem would deteriorate once the rains begin since we will be unable to utilize the road, thus we urge our government to look into this.”
Nyany Korok, a Pibor local government official, said, “The common folks in Pibor are paying the price as the road stays blocked, which is not good.” My concern is that if this tendency continues, the situation would devolve into intercommunal violence. “I want the national government to step in.”
Lokali Amae, the GPAA’s top administrator, urged for calm while attempts to address persistent insecurity along the route continue.
“Indeed, there has been a lack of products caused by repeated instability since last year.” “Traders are unable to utilize highways, and essential commodities such as gasoline and sugar are becoming more expensive,” Amae said. “My message is to be calm because I have engaged the Jonglei State governor, who will be able to handle their young.” For our part, we shall speak to our young about the need of peace.”
Movement along the Juba-Pibor route was halted a week ago as a result of numerous assaults on road merchants.
