Traders in Jonglei state have locked their shops and threatened to go on strike after the government failed to give them letters of credit giving them access to hard currency.

Authorities announced last April that the hard currency would be made available to traders willing to operate in Bor, which lies in the frontline state Jonglei. The dollars were intended to assist the traders bring goods from foreign countries such as Uganda and Kenya.

Muzee Ayuel Arok of the Jonglei State Chamber of Commerce, speaking on Radio Miraya, said that the state government has not yet given the traders letters to collect the credit.  

They locked their shops on Friday in protest. But the governor has promised to follow up the issue. 

“Governor Hon. John Kong Nyuon has convinced the business people saying that he will follow up from the government of South Sudan. They will follow up and then give the money to business people. They told us to give them five days to follow up,” he said.

Related:

South Sudan offers hard currency to traders operating in conflict town Bor (8 Apr.)