Some of the boda boda riders in Juba say a litre of petrol and diesel has hiked to 9,000 South Sudanese pounds, an expense that now leaves most of them with nothing to save

By Lodu William

They are the most popular mode of transport in Juba and among many towns in the region- easily accessible and fast. They are almost everywhere. And for passengers looking to get to their destinations in Juba and its suburbs faster, and through the shortest routes- they are the go-to option.

But now they are a worried lot, at least considering the skyrocketing costs at the pump.

This has become an unbearable pain, that most of them are now coming out to express concerns about.

Some of the boda boda riders in Juba say a litre of petrol and diesel has hiked to 9,000 South Sudanese pounds, an expense that now leaves most of them with nothing to save, creating a dark end in their business. This has now become so much of a hand to mouth hassle- a glaring trouble that needs to be checked, as this is the biggest employer among the youth, some of who would have been rendered jobless without this trade.

In an interview with the City Review Newspaper yesterday, Oliver Emmanuel, a Boda-Boda rider in Hai-Malakal area said that the increase in fuel prices has meant that passengers have to dig deeper into their pockets, making it hard for them to get customers.

“The increase has affected us since many of the customers are running away because we increased our transport fare. So, this time getting money is by luck. We sometime understanding the problem of our customers because the conditions we face are all vise-versa,” Emmanuel highlighted.

Emmanuel expressed disappointment that they were expecting the fuel prices to remain in its steady price of SSP 5,000 in order to maintain their work and to get some surplus for survival.

“Now the fuel price is increasing every time. Like today it is 8,500 pounds, in other places 9,000. Maybe it will reach SSP10,000 and above,” he added.

On his part, Modi Peter who is also a boda boda operators at Hai Cinema said the increase might negatively, in the long run, affect their earnings.

“Our clients will not appreciate that the cost of fuel has gone up so as to dig deeper in their pockets. Hence, we end up accepting the usual fare, though with minimal returns, which affects the business,” Modi stressed.

He further noted that the fuel price hike would later lead to a daily struggle to keep their business run.

Abraham Maliet, who is an Economist, said the fuel price increase have not only resulted from increase in dollar rate but due to the fuel scarcity.

“If it is the scarcity of the fuel, and if there are no goods, you will have nothing to buy with dollar,” Maliet commented.

Maliet added that the country being none productive, ones prices hikes it’s believed that it was caused by the dollar rate but said this will decrease once the current situation resolved.

“The rising is a technical thing that will drop by the end of the week if the situation is resolved, economist Maliet stated.

“Now the fuel price is increasing every time. Like today it is 8,500 pounds, in other places 9,000. Maybe it will reach SSP10,000 and above,” Oliver Emmanuel, a Boda-Boda rider in Hai-Malakal area said.