Gov’t secures food supplies

President Salva Kiir says the government is securing supply of essential food items and fuel to reduce rising market prices.

Food prices have increased more than four times since the conflict erupted in December 2013, while fuel shortage continues to interrupt businesses and public transport.

The President says the government has been using only revenues from oil to maintain the economy.

In an address to the national parliament in Juba today, he said the government did not borrow money to inject into the economy.

“We have signed a contract with an international company to close the gap of fuel shortages in the country,” President Kiir added.

The president also spoke on the exchange rate.

He says he has directed the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank to review the exchange rates.

100 US dollars is selling at 296 pounds in the central bank and 316 at the commercial banks.

But in the black market, the rate is now at about 1,800 pounds.

The president says the ministry of finance and the central bank should study ways of realigning the rates.

“I wonder when I see somebody with no good clothes, but possesses a lot of dollars. Where do they get these dollars from?” He asked.

“This is something that all of us should go find out, because these are the people slaughtering this country.”

Other issues in the speech include the implementation of the peace agreement.