DEC 2015 cost of living increased – JCTR

THE Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says the country recorded a general increase in the cost of living for most towns at the year end of 2015.

The Basic Needs Basket for Lusaka increased by K656.29 to K4,371.76 in December from K3,715.47 in July 2015 representing a 17.6% increase.

The Kitwe Basic Needs Basket stood at K2, 768.69 in July and K3, 919.58 in December representing a K1, 150.89 increase and a percentage increase of 41%.

The Centre states that the increase in the cost of living was taking root amidst other challenges the country witnessed and experienced.

The JCTR notes that increased load shedding during 2015 has had a negative impact on household incomes considering that most people in the country earn their living in the informal sector and depend on small businesses like welding, tailoring, salons and barbershops for survival.

It adds that the high levels of unexpected retrenchments witnessed especially in the mining sector eroded families of much needed incomes for survival.

The JCTR proposes that looking forward, Government should in 2016 identify and implement programmes and policies that would have direct positive benefit and impact on lives of majority poor Zambians.

It says in agriculture, for example, concerted efforts should be taken to increase productivity in the northern regions of Zambia that have more and perhaps consistent rainfall as well as creation of reservoirs that can be utilized for irrigation to enable sufficient foods to be produced for 2016 to avoid a food shortage.

The Centre also encourages wider stakeholder engagement, involvement and consultation that would generate a wide pool of knowledge to manage the many challenges the country currently faces.

It says this should go hand in hand with policy consistency which would encourage both local and foreign investors that are much needed especially in the energy and manufacturing industries that once strengthened could widen job opportunities for ordinary citizens form strong pillars for Zambia’s economy.