Fuel shortage leading to rising prices in North Darfur locality
Residents of Tawila locality in North Darfur said shortage in fuel is leading to rising prices of potable water and grains, as their supply is dependent on the product’s availability. Fuel prices are also rising, they said, noting that a container currently costs 140 Sudanese pounds (SDG) at the black market rate ($32). Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of water boosted to eight pounds and a plate of grain to two pounds. The oil crisis is also threatening the production of vegetable and fruits, considering farmers depend on its availability to operate their machinery. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, sources attributed the fuel shortage to the denial of El Fasher’s authorities to transport the product from the state’s capital to Tawila locality. They are urging authorities to allow fuel distribution so that citizens are not “harmed”. Kutum: nine-month power cuts Meanwhile, residents of Kutum in North Darfur said the locality is experiencing frequent power cuts for nine months. This, they say, is leading to scarcity and consequently rising prices of flour and sugar. A source said the value of a bag of sugar boosted from 250 to 350 SDG, and the price of two loaves of bread doubled to four pounds. Bakery owners say poor security situation and flour sales’ monopoly are the reasons behind the price rise. One of them said they receive four sacks of flour per week from the “economic security section of the government”. Merchants often complain to Radio Dabanga that high-ranking officers of the Sudanese security services control the distribution of goods delivered in Darfur, especially sugar, flour and fuel, a source said. This generates much financial benefits to these officers who withhold large amounts of commodities and resell them for high prices or upon the payment of bribes, in line with reports. Citizens are demanding authorities to restore electric power in Kutum locality and “relief them from this burden”.Radio Dabanga file photoRelated: Sudan official to ask clerics advice on Darfur blood money issue (27 March 2013)
Residents of Tawila locality in North Darfur said shortage in fuel is leading to rising prices of potable water and grains, as their supply is dependent on the product’s availability.
Fuel prices are also rising, they said, noting that a container currently costs 140 Sudanese pounds (SDG) at the black market rate ($32). Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of water boosted to eight pounds and a plate of grain to two pounds.
The oil crisis is also threatening the production of vegetable and fruits, considering farmers depend on its availability to operate their machinery.
Speaking to Radio Dabanga, sources attributed the fuel shortage to the denial of El Fasher’s authorities to transport the product from the state’s capital to Tawila locality.
They are urging authorities to allow fuel distribution so that citizens are not “harmed”.
Kutum: nine-month power cuts
Meanwhile, residents of Kutum in North Darfur said the locality is experiencing frequent power cuts for nine months. This, they say, is leading to scarcity and consequently rising prices of flour and sugar.
A source said the value of a bag of sugar boosted from 250 to 350 SDG, and the price of two loaves of bread doubled to four pounds.
Bakery owners say poor security situation and flour sales’ monopoly are the reasons behind the price rise. One of them said they receive four sacks of flour per week from the “economic security section of the government”.
Merchants often complain to Radio Dabanga that high-ranking officers of the Sudanese security services control the distribution of goods delivered in Darfur, especially sugar, flour and fuel, a source said.
This generates much financial benefits to these officers who withhold large amounts of commodities and resell them for high prices or upon the payment of bribes, in line with reports.
Citizens are demanding authorities to restore electric power in Kutum locality and “relief them from this burden”.
Radio Dabanga file photo
Related: Sudan official to ask clerics advice on Darfur blood money issue (27 March 2013)
and then