THE cost of living in 10 major towns in all nine provinces in Zambia has increased to K2, 713,580 in the month of February from K2, 696,030 in January, according to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR).
This is according to an assessment by the JCTR conducted in Lusaka, Livingstone, Monze, Kabwe, Ndola, Luanshya, Kitwe, Kasama, Mongu and Solwezi.
JCTR coordinator of the Social Conditions Programme Miniva Chibuye, said in a statement in Lusaka that the unrelenting high cost of living that many Zambian households experienced at the beginning and end of each year was now a long standing problem.
Ms Chibuye said according to the assessment based on the monthly Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for a family of six, in the month of February 2010, there was an increase in the cost of food now averaging K860, 250 in Lusaka.
She said the increase was based on an upward adjustment of prices of kapenta, dry fish and green vegetables.
“When costs for some essential non-food items such as housing, energy and water are added, the overall cost of living for the month of February increased to K2, 713,580 from K2,696,030 in January,” she said.
The nominal cost of food in January 2008 was K596,000, but this increased to K656, 600 in December 2008 and to K761,550 in January 2009 and rose further to close the year at K822,100.
In January 2010, the cost of basic food increased to K842,400. Similar trends have been observed particularly in major towns such as Kitwe, Ndola and Livingstone.
Ms Chibuye said the BNB has consistently shown nominal increases in both food and essential non-food items at the beginning and end of the year.
JCTR’s qualitative high density area research, the challenge of the high cost of living is manifested in the increasing inability on the part of the majority of Zambians to have access to proper housing, quality health services, education, clean water and sanitation and, most significantly, adequately balanced diets.
Ms Chibuye said the JCTR, through its work on the urban BNB and the Rural Basket has noticed a strong correlation between the affordability of food items in urban areas and the availability of food items in rural areas.
“It is important to bring this assertion to the fore when drawing up strategies that respond to the food security situation in the country,” she said.
JCTR was calling for the effective participation of people at the household, community and national levels on their food security situation while pragmatic steps should be taken if this situation was to be redressed.
The JCTR want an approach that focuses on increased production of food but also improved storage and even distribution to respond to issues of availability and accessibility throughout the year.
Secondly, to respond to the high cost of living in urban areas, the Government should provide a suitable environment for households to have adequate income. In this regard, national development strategies should live up to their promise of creating employment.
The JCTR however urges the Government that a right balance should be found between the cost of food in urban areas and the future of agriculture in rural areas.
[TImes of Zambia]
l-) Yangu tata….as it was in the begining and so shall it be in the end, always increasing. Ala twalibelela. Only mulungu kumwamba knows where we are heading to….kaya [-x
What a shame? and you say that the minimum wage is two hundred something Kwacha. dear me!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jesus came at the right time and abolished the payments of sin offerings etc, he chose to get the burden on himself making us free. am sure his coming again is nearer than we first thought. come and redeem us Lord. Amen.
Some are dancing while others are suffering. These are the storms of Zambian. We need to save mother Zambia before the boat or Ship sinks. Who will wake up Jesus to calm the storm and save us all? Mama neo!!!
The rich are enjoying this hence as poor pipo will continue suffering with a salary which is 10 times less than the cost of living.Its true only Jesus can end the misery and madness that we are going everyday.
Our so called govt will do nothing to improve our standard of living
:^o~X(~X(
A subject like this invites very few comments. Could it be that most people have no idea about what to do to really solve Zambia’s problems? If it is criticism, we can all do that. Even a grade 1 primary school kid can criticise government. But, if we are not offering solutions, then we are part of the problem. On the other hand, this cost of living is based on seasonal foods; kapenta, dried fish and vegetables. You do not get fresh vegetables at the peak of a wet season. Fish also spawn at the same time so these things must be borne in mind. These things should not be used to promote socialism. There will always be poor people and that would be their OWN fault.
You have done very well in publishing such a good article. However, in my opinion it would have been a lot better if you could outline the criteria that was used in coming up with the reported figures. That having been said, the article is single faced.
Otherwise keep up the strive in excellence.