The first batch of essential commodities imported by the government at a cost of $10 million arrived this morning in Nesitu, a checkpoint near Juba.

Both Ivory and Alpha banks each received $5 million US dollars this month to import the goods on behalf of the government.

This morning, the Ministry of Trade received more than 42 trucks of flour, sugar and beans, which will then be sold cheaply to the people across the country.

The government imported the goods from Uganda to try to reduce the rising prices of food items.

The undersecretary in the ministry, Biel Jok Thich, told Eye Radio that more food items are still on the way from Uganda.

“Now rice and the rest, especially oil and powder milk for children are entering Nimule,” Mr Jok said. “This is the implementation of the work of the economic crisis [committee] which was formed by the president.”

Mr Jok says the goods will be sold to wholesalers, who will in turn ensure that they are resold to retailers and the final consumers.

He says security organs and the Juba city Council will be monitoring the distribution and ensure the goods are in the market within two or three weeks.