The Cost of Returning to Khartoum
Rashid Abdelrahim
A few days ago, I shared Dr Mamoun Abu Shaiba’s impressions of Khartoum, which he had visited to inspect his home and whose maintenance he began immediately. Today, I leave you in his company once again, following the warm reception and discussion prompted by his account of the city. This time, he outlines the cost of renovating and repairing his flat:
“I would like to share my experience with my brothers and sisters following my visit to Sudan two weeks ago. I wanted to share the expenses I incurred to maintain my flat in Khartoum, in the hope that this might guide others wishing to return.
First: Four things to consider when returning to Sudan
There are four things to consider, some of which are essential:
1. Security: Security is completely stable throughout Khartoum. I encountered no danger while moving around the city. Even the thieves seem to have disappeared.
2. Home/flat maintenance: I will discuss this in some detail, in the hope of giving those wishing to return and maintain their homes or flats a clearer idea of the costs involved.
3. Electricity: Electricity is cut off for approximately six to eight hours a day. Installing a solar power system makes life quite normal.
4. A car: Public transport is extremely difficult to use, particularly given the recent shortage of petrol, which I hope will be temporary.
There are no app-based car-hailing services such as Uber. The solution is to repair old cars, which I will discuss in more detail.
Maintenance costs
My flat has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room.
The cost of maintaining this flat (which can be compared with that of a larger house) was as follows. As far as possible, I have converted the costs into US dollars because of fluctuations in the Sudanese pound. However, the dollar figures remain stable. Two weeks ago, the US dollar was worth approximately 8,000 Sudanese pounds.
Maintenance:
Cleaning materials and labour:
SDG 800,000 — approximately US$100
Plumbing materials and labour:
SDG 1,500,000 — approximately US$190
Electrical materials and labour:
SDG 1,500,000 — approximately US$190
Repairs to internal doors (five) and an external door (one Turkish-made door):
SDG 830,000 — approximately US$105
Three ceiling fans:
SDG 125,000 each
3 × SDG 125,000 = SDG 375,000 — approximately US$50
One toilet seat:
SDG 350,000 — approximately US$50
Painting:
One bucket of silk-finish paint: SDG 95,000 — approximately US$12
One bucket of silk paint (as stated in the original): SDG 470,000 — approximately US$60
Three buckets of Chemiplast paint: SDG 600,000 — approximately US$75
Total maintenance cost: US$842
Other expenses
Solar power system: US$2,200
Small car repairs (Hyundai i10/Kia Morning): US$3,000
Furniture for the flat (to be purchased in Damietta, Egypt): US$2,700
12-cubic-foot refrigerator (purchased in Sudan): US$350
LG washing machine, 8 kg: US$560
Four-burner cooker with oven: US$340
Kettle: US$7
Blender: US$35
Portable evaporative air cooler: US$250
Summary
Maintenance alone: US$832
Refrigerator and other appliances: US$1,600
Solar power system (sufficient to run four fans, lights, a refrigerator and a portable evaporative air cooler): US$2,200
Furniture for the flat (from Egypt): US$2,700
Repairs to a small car: US$3,000
Grand total: US$10,332
Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=18991