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By Manyang Mayom

February 2, 2011 (RUMBEK) – The governments of Lakes state and Unity state have agreed to collaborate in the supply of basic foodstuffs and fuel following the dramatic rise in local prices across South Sudan.

Speaking to press in his office, governor of Lakes, Chol Tong Mayay, said that the two states have agreed to help each other get basic commodities, a collaboration that will see Unity supply fuel to Lakes while foodstuffs, mainly from East Africa, which will flow into Unity through Lakes.

Mayay appealed to those concerned in the fuel trade to begin getting their fuel supplies from Unity, the capital of Bentiu, adding that the roads connecting Rumbek and Bentiu are being worked on and the bridges now constructed make it passable throughout the year.

“I have made contact with governor of unity state, so that they will supply us with fuel. The road is good and Ayat Company is doing roads and bridges along Maper – Unity state also has a food shortage, so Unity state will get foodstuffs from us because the other border, with the North, is going to be closed. We are asking those who are trading on fuel to get their fuel in Unity state and other states could get it from Lakes”, said Mayay

Nevertheless, this week Mayay issued a decree banning what he described as “illegal tax collectors”, detailing officers and institutions implicated, among them, the police at checkpoints, some public security officers, RAM Company (a Sudanese oil field service company), and some of the traffic police.

He appealed to the relevant authorities in the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) to avail US dollars to enable traders to import goods from East Africa, explaining that South Sudan does not have manufacturing industries as yet.

He went on to suggest that GoSS agrees to the use of Kenya and Ugandan currency as it was during the time of war, explaining that the availability of foreign currency will help traders to restock their shops and stabilise prices in the market, during this time of transition.

“I have already issued a declaration banning all illegal tax collectors. Of course the other plan will be to make dollars available to traders to get goods from neighbouring countries; it will help us to reduce prices,” said Mayay.

The prices of goods in many parts of South Sudan have rocketed and the ordinary citizens are concerned about their welfare if the situation persists.

(ST)