The Central Equatoria State (CES) government has tasked the state Chamber of Commerce with regulating market prices, following public outcry over persistent price hikes.
The directive comes amid the ongoing depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) against foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar, which continues to drive commodity prices higher.
Combined with salary delays for civil servants, many residents are struggling to afford basic goods.
As efforts to rescue the buyers from harsh market prices, Central Equatoria has directed the chamber of commerce to engage traders in order to reduce prices.
The state government made directive during the meeting with the leadership of the state chamber of commerce.
Leadership of Chamber of commerce met CES governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel on Friday to present the challenges facing traders.
Addressing the media after the meeting Stephen Lado Onesimo, the State Minister of Trade and Industry revealed that the state government has directed the chamber to regulate prices.
He expressed that the state has acknowledged the suffering of the people due to high prices.
“After the meeting the Chamber had been directed to help regulate market prices as the State government works to resolve the problems of multiple taxation and zoning” Minister Lado revealed.
Despites the challenges facing the traders in the country, the state government has urged them to strengthen cooperation with the state Authorities.
He reaffirmed government commitment to ensure that taxes are harmonized.
“The Governor has assured and urged the Chamber of Commerce and the wider business community to remain calm while their concerns are being addressed” he said.
On his part Robert Pitia Francis, Chairperson of the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce urged the governor to urgently address the issue of multiple taxes.
He reiterated that most traders are forced to increase prices due to multiple taxes.
“The issue of multiple tax really affected the business it is the one that force them to increase their prices” he said.
Pitia assured the state government of his leadership support adding that the problem of high prices affected everyone including the leaders.
