The food commodities included maize flour, wheat flour, rice, and sugar. The initiative aims to “stabilize the market, ensure public access to essential food items, and close the hunger gaps,” according to trade minister Joseph Moum Majak who inspected the launch.
Minister Moum said some of the food merchandise will be distributed to the 10 states and three Administrative Areas.
“Though we have challenges in reaching some States due to lack of road access, we are working hard to manage the situation before floods kick in,” he said.
When asked about the sustainability of the initiative, Moum said his Ministry will continue to import food items to restore prices in the market.
“This is the commitment of the government to introduce sustainable measures,” he added.
The senior government official said that the prices of the goods will be in accordance with “prevailing market prices to measure and set up the rates.”
Moum urged the public to follow and report any malpractices associated with the process once centers and selling points are established.
Out of the 70 trucks expected by the ministry, so far 45 trucks have arrived in Juba, while 26 are still on their way, according to the minister.
He said his ministry will engage the Bureau of Standards for quality assurance of the products.