Basic Needs shoots to over K5, 000

Basic Needs shoots to over K5, 000

The cost of living for Lusaka as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for an average Zambian family of five hit a first time high K5,036.28 in the month of October 2016.

Some items recording increases in price included mealie meal, beans, dark green vegetables, cooking oil, bread, sugar, tea and charcoal.

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection notes that the cost of living is every day becoming expensive and beyond the capacity of most poor households.

Other BNBs recording increases included: those for Kabwe from K 3,475.24 in September to K3, 498.15 in October, Mongu from K2, 998.85 in September to K3, 087.65 in October, Monze from K3, 069.80 to K3, 133.30, Kasama from K 2,869.32 to K3,078.76 and Livingstone from K3,699.66 in September to K3, 849.27.

Those recording minor reductions but still remaining high include Mansa – K2, 738.14 in September while K2, 715.96 in October and Ndola, K4, 416.26 in September and K4,375.83.

The month of October saw pump prices of fuel increased Petrol from K9.87 to K13.70, Diesel from K8.59 to K11.40 and Paraffin from K6.12 to K8.03.

In a statement made available to QFM News today, JCTR acknowledges that life will not be easy for the majority poor Zambians when government finally concludes a bailout package with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as the Minister of Finance outlined a five pillar economic recovery plan aimed to stabilize the economy but also to increase the ability of citizens to afford the cost of living.