Zambia still faces challenges of improving lives of people

JCTR Director Fr. Leonard Chiti

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has observed that Zambia still faces the challenge of improving the lives of the poor despite the positive strides made through the social cash transfer.

JCTR Director Fr. Leonard Chiti notes that to improve the livelihood of the majority Zambians, there is need to strengthen local planning with the involvement of various implementing partners and stakeholders.

Fr. Chiti says key policy issues have to be addressed such as implementation of the decentralization policy in a bid to accelerate development and uplift the lives of the people in rural areas.

He states that people in rural areas are still faced with various challenges and it is important that the challenges are looked at and addressed so that those living in rural areas begin to feel the benefit of being Zambians.

Fr. Chiti adds that despite the reduction in the price of mealie meal, the cost of living is still high for the people of Zambia.

He has further wondered why government has not intervened in the reduction of transport fares even after the reduction in the fuel pump price.