Fuel Crisis Hits Yei Town as Riders Struggle to Access Supplies

(YEI RIVER COUNTY ) – Motorcycle riders and residents in Yei Town are facing a growing fuel crisis, with many operators struggling to access petrol amid widespread station closures and rising price disputes.

Several boda-boda riders say most fuel dealers are pushing for an increase in fuel prices from 13,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) to 17,000 SSP per litre, worsening the situation for transport operators.

Most fuel stations across Yei River County remain closed, with only Kafa Fuel Station in the Lomuku One area briefly reopening for limited hours.

Modi Jackson, a boda-boda rider speaking from Kafa Fuel Station, described the situation as critical, noting that access to both petrol and diesel has become extremely difficult.

“All the petrol stations are closed, and we have been here since morning waiting to get fuel for our motorbikes. Currently a litre is at 13,000 SSP here, but we were told that suppliers want to increase the price to 17,000 SSP,” he said.

Jackson called on the county government and the Chamber of Commerce to urgently intervene and address the crisis affecting riders and livelihoods in the town.

Another rider, Bidali Erick, accused some traders of hoarding fuel, further deepening the shortage.

“There is fuel shortage and hoarding in Yei Town. All fuel stations are closed, and riders are moving around looking for fuel. We call on the government to intervene before things get out of hand,” Erick said.

A fuel dealer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the shortage to high taxes and poor road conditions affecting supply routes to Yei.

“We don’t have enough fuel in our reserves because of poor roads from Juba to Yei and the high taxes on suppliers. We have raised these concerns to the county government, but there has been no solution,” the dealer said.

Efforts to reach the Yei County Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

In April, county authorities capped fuel prices in Yei at 13,000 SSP per litre following growing public concern over the rising cost of living. The measure aimed to protect residents and small businesses from sudden price hikes as global supply challenges affected regional markets.

The directive was issued after consultations between local authorities and fuel traders, allowing only limited increases tied to price changes in Juba, where fuel sells at approximately 11,500 SSP per litre. Any adjustment above 12,500 SSP in Yei was to require further negotiation with the county government.

Officials had warned that uncontrolled price increases could disrupt economic activity and trigger public unrest.

Fuel traders in Yei continue to face mounting pressure due to reliance on supplies from neighboring Uganda and challenging transport conditions within South Sudan, factors contributing to the ongoing shortages.