The city of Kosti in White Nile is witnessing a sharp rise in cooking gas prices as gas cylinders ceased to be available at stations and stores that had officially distributed them.

The price of a gas cylinder has risen to 70 pounds. A number of distribution center owners said that the high gas prices were due to a monopoly held by some prominent traders.

Allegedly these traders do not own formal distribution centers but rather distribute the cylinders via carts and by wandering within neighborhoods and selling the gas to citizens for 70 pounds or more.

Inhabitants of rural neighborhoods have to pay more for the gas, according to owners of distribution centers.