AS Zambia grapples with a poor rainfall pattern, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection urges the Patriotic Front Government to institute contingency plans which will ultimately mitigate the noted rise in the cost of mealie meal.
In a Monday 20th April 2015 Press Statement released in Kitwe, JCTR Media and public relations Officer, Tendai Posiana pleaded with the Zambian Government to seriously address eminent vulnerability.
In an apparent reference to Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Given Lubinda’s assertion that Zambia expected to record a bumper harvest in the 2014/2015 farming season, Ms Posiana regretted that the pronouncement by the Kabwata parliamentarian did not hold sufficient water.
In addition, Posiana expressed worry that the cost of two 25-kilogrames bags of maize meal was increasing a difficult undertaking as a result of falling and static incomes among a majority of Zambian citizens.
For instance, alluding to JCTR Basic Needs Basket for a family of five, for Chinsali, Kasama, Kitwe, Luanshya, Mansa, Mongu, Monze, Mpika, Ndola, and Solwezi , in March 2015, Posiana argued that families deserved cushioning as the cost of living was beyond the reach of affected communities.
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR has remained steadfast and resolute through evidence based Basic Needs Basket (BNB) advocacy, spelt in calling for better living standards for the Zambian people, especially those in the lower socio-economic bracket.
Ms Posiana reiterated a need for President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Finance and National Planning Minister Alexander Bwalya Chikwanda to meaningfully intervene in easing eminent starvation as Zambia faces increased vulnerability among its maize and Nshima dependent citizenry.
The JCTR Information Officer for Copperbelt and Northern Region urged President Lungu to take keen interest in evidence based research on expected harvest as opposed to relying of party and government officials merely interested in safeguarding their jobs.
The JCTR BNB for March 2015 shows that the cost of living for a family of five in Solwezi stood at K3, 251.48, recording a reduction by K667.51, while in Lusaka; the figure was estimated at 3,797.55 thus rising by K97.55.
In contrast, the JCTR BNB for February 2015, pegged the cost of living for a family of five in Solwezi as having risen to K3, 918.99, comparatively higher than in Lusaka, estimated by ground staff in Zambia’s capital city at K3, 700.
Posiana remains prayerful that the Zambian Government will consider increasing or adjusting budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Education.
Despite Government assurances, vulnerability is increasing a visible characteristic at household level in Solwezi, Mongu, Lundazi, Chinsali, Mbala, Choma, Kawambwa, Kapiri Mposhi, Masaiti and Luangwa districts, amid a perception of affluence.
A majority of families in Zambia’s ten (10) provinces of Northwestern, Western, Muchinga, Northern, Southern, Luapula, Central Province and Lusaka survive on less meals, a development that has equally worried Civil Society Organization Scale Up Nutrition (SCO-SUN) National Coordinator, Mr William Chilufya.
Further, as Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor Dr Denny Kalyalya and team struggle to strengthen the Zambian kwacha currently trading at K7, 500 to the United States Dollar and K10, 300 to the British Pound Sterling, Ms Posiana regretted that the cost of doing business will worsen the plight of vulnerable communities.
In February 2015, the JCTR Basic Needs Basket research indicated that two 25 kilogramme bags of mealie meal cost K142.80 for Kitwe, K132.66 for Luanshya, K138.66 in Mansa, K138.56 for Ndola and K152.00 in Solwezi.
The Information Officer for Copperbelt challenged the Zambian Government to concede defeat in the light of a poor harvest and import oriented economy that continues to comparatively fare poorly against a stronger United States Dollar.
Mixing rebased and unrebased currency quotes is confusing; is LT or the JCTR?
Zambia needs to look at alternative foods and wean of nsima to avoid starving in the midst of plenty.
so all we can do is watch en smile @ south Africans as they open mall in zed and take profits way…….
all we do is talk bad at the best leader HH just punishing many who can benefit from his good management and leadership skills.
What best leadership have you seen in HH . go at his farms and see for yourself the meaning of the best leader. HH my friend is far from being the best leaders in Zambia.