Business

Business people flock Jebel after Juba demolitions

By Mugume Rwakaringi

The cost of hiring a place to work from in Jebel has hiked due to the influx of many business people after their make shift houses of operation were destroyed in both Juba town and Customs.
A make shift house which used be hired at a cost of 500-1000 SDG (US $ 250-500) has more than doubled to over 1200-2400 SDG (600-1000 US $) forcing many business men to quit.
“We lost a lot of property and money from the demolished places thus cannot afford to rent such houses”, said one trader whose house was demolished. This increase in renting prices traders claim, has come at the time when there is limited money in circulation citing the Christmas season where a lot of money was used and money for school dues as many children are going back to school.
The affected business activities include restaurants, book shops, secretariat business, carpentry and both retail and whole sale trading shops.
Whereas these traders are crying foul, some in operation are rejoicing over the increase of customers who come to look for the services they were used to getting from the demolished places.
“Anyway many people are continuing to come here in Jebel for business but their number is not yet alarming”, said Angel a telephone attendant also agreeing with influx of many traders in Jebel.
Other than the costs of hiring a working place (mostly make-shift houses) in Jebel, land wrangles also continue to affect business activities with many tenants losing out their money through conflicts. “It is common to pay such sums of Dollars because landlords require upfront payments and two days later to be told by another person claiming to vacate his place”, said one trader who preferred anonymity.
“This is very good for many business people to come here since it will provide competition that has its advantages”, said Emmanuel a Jebel resident.
The hiking of renting prices in Jebel has forced many traders to either halt or abandon their business activities.
Meanwhile motorcyclists in Jebel are losing interest in the transport business citing the high rate of armed robbery of their motorcycles. Ismail Muhindo a motorist told this reporter that these robbers pose as passengers for easy access to these motorcycles.
“They request you to transport them to certain places and when you reached there, you find a gang of armed robbers who force you to either surrender your bike or lose your life”, Ismail lamented. A dozen motorcycles is said to be lost weekly through these armed robbers.
Ends