Lakes state hit by price rises, referendum turnout reached 84%

By Manyang Mayom

January 15, 2011 (RUMBEK) – Lakes state shopkeepers in Rumbek town’s markets are complaining about increased prices. Food stuff, household goods and cloths are more expensive now than before the start of south Sudan’s referendum on independence on January 9.

Speaking to the press, Diing, a Sudanese trader, blamed the high prices mainly on the “exchange rate of the dollar”. He explained that before the start of the voting, “the dollar was changing at 2.7 Sudanese Pounds,” while now a US Dollar “exchanges at 3.4 Sudanese Pounds”.

The traders say they have no choice than to charge customers more for the goods.

There is also a scarcity of dollars in Lakes state. He also noted that without dollars traders cannot buy goods in neighboring countries like Uganda, Kenya and the DR Congo.

Traders also complain about the many import taxes they have to pay to the government of Southern Sudan.

According to Koja Isa, a trader in vegetables and fruits in Rumbek market, also criticized the many roadblocks where transporters have to pay taxes. Isa requested the government to reduce the taxes.

The self-determination, which ended January 15 is widely expected to result in the south becoming independent from the north.

Lakes state governor Chol Tong Mayay has reported that, discounting remote polling centers which have not yet presented their results referendum officials, there has been a 84% turnout of registered voters in the state.

(ST)