By James Innocent
The Commissioner of Yei River County, Samuel Henry Malimbo, has directed fuel station operators to cap pump prices at 13,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) per litre.
This followed a consultative meeting with traders shortly after his return to the county.
The directive aims to stabilise fuel prices and shield residents from sharp increases amid mounting economic pressures.
Commissioner Malimbo emphasised that fuel prices in Yei should reflect prevailing rates in Juba, where petrol is currently selling at approximately 11,500 SSP per litre.
He noted that while prices in Yei may adjust in response to any increases in Juba, they should not exceed 12,500 SSP per litre without prior consultation with county authorities.
“We must ensure that price adjustments are reasonable and coordinated,” Malimbo said, warning that uncontrolled hikes could disrupt livelihoods and economic activities in the area.
The decision comes amid growing concern among fuel dealers over rising operational costs. Traders attribute the increase to high fuel prices in neighboring Uganda—a key supply route for Yei as well as logistical challenges, including multiple checkpoints along transport corridors within South Sudan.
Abdi Razak, Secretary of the Fuel Stations Association in Yei, said operators are under pressure to balance escalating import and transport costs with the need to keep fuel affordable for consumers. Some dealers had proposed raising prices to as high as 15,000 SSP per litre, citing current market realities.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce in Yei River County, Justin Luwate, urged traders to align local prices more closely with those in Juba. He suggested maintaining a benchmark of 13,000 SSP per litre to ensure consistency and protect consumers.
Luwate also pointed to global factors affecting fuel prices, noting that ongoing tensions, such as Israel–Iran tensions, have disrupted international supply chains, contributing to rising fuel costs worldwide.
Security authorities have also weighed in on the matter. The Police Commissioner of Yei, Major General Ali Abdullah Tif, cautioned fuel dealers against excessive price increases, warning that such actions could heighten public anxiety and place additional strain on the local economy.
Despite these challenges, both authorities and traders have expressed willingness to cooperate in stabilising fuel prices and ensuring continued access to fuel for residents and businesses in Yei.