A retail shop in Rumbek, Lakes State. | Courtesy

Authorities in Lakes State have reported an increase in commodity prices in the markets leaving the local population struggling to afford necessities.

The state Information Minister, William Koji said prices have shoot up by 50 percent. He calls the national government to address the matter.

The state official told Eye Radio on Sunday a 50 kilogram of flour that used to be sold at 30,000 South Sudanese pounds in April this year has increased to 58,000 pounds.

While a kilogram of meat that used to be sold at 1,000 South Sudanese pounds has increased to 1500 pounds.

Koji also believes the issue of hard currency, and poor road network, as well as salary delay, have contributed to the matter.

“The price of everything in the market is not that good. It is deteriorating you can remember some time back 50 KG of flour was sold at 30,34 and 35,000 SSP, as we speak now is sold at 58,000 SSP. A kilo of the meat was sold at 1,000 SSP and now they are sold it at 1500 SSP,” he told Eye Radio.

“So, it’s like 50% of the old prices have been added.”

“The citizen were even complaining about the prices of those days (April 2023) and and now it has been increased again by 50%, so its something terrible. People are not talking well because they could not afford, you can also see by yourself on social media.”