THE cost of living in Livingstone has declined by about K50 for the month June this year for a family of five, a survey conducted by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has revealed.
JCTR’s Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for an average family of five living in Livingstone is K2, 874 and it shows a decrease of K44.59 from the May BNB which stood at K2, 918.78.
The decrease in the cost of living can be attributed to the boost in availability of seasonal food items such as Vegetables, Onion and Beans.
“From the previous month of May, the average unit prices of commodities such as Kapenta per kg, Meat per kg and Vaseline (Jelly) 500 ml have reduced by K12.33, K3.43 and K4.21 respectively.
“This has contributed to the decrease in the cost of living. On the reverse side, the average unit price of commodities such as Mealie meal 25 kg bag (breakfast), 90 kg bag of Charcoal and a kg of Tea powder have increased by K1.29, K1.40 and K11.14 respectively,” JCTR Livingstone outreach regional officer George Makaha said.
Mr Makaha said in Livingstone yesterday that despite the recorded decrease in the cost of living, JCTR was concerned that load-shedding would affect the cost of production and negatively impact on Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) and consumers.
“In light of this, JCTR on behalf of the poor majority would like to appeal to Government to plan ahead of such eventualities and also invest in diverse sources of energy such as molasses from sugar cane, wind, thermal and bio gas that are environmental friendly.
“This is very important because energy is the engine of every economy and without it, the entire nation but more especially the poor will suffer,” he said.
In the past few weeks, heavy load shedding has become the norm throughout the country.
ZESCO has attributed the heavy load shedding schedule to low water levels in Kariba dam which is a result of inadequate rains.
“JCTR is concerned by the heavy load shedding mainly because it will negatively affect people’s ability to live a dignified life.
“Considering the existing socio-economic conditions and levels of poverty prevailing in our country, the impacts of load shedding will be felt more by the poor majority,” Mr Makaha said.
These PF Kaponyas in Govt cannot worry about the worsening poverty levels in the country even if the worse came to the worst. They know that the illiterate cadres who are complaining about literally everything in the country will still extend their suffering by voting them into power again! It is the levels of illiteracy on the part of these gullible cadres that make these leaders unaccountable to its people! Period!
Great news! Cost of living will keep going down!
Wonderful News for once.
Someone please educate me……”ZESCO has attributed the heavy load shedding schedule to low water levels in Kariba dam which is a result of inadequate rains.”…… by how much has the flow into Kariba of the Zambezi reduced? Is it not the flow through of the Zambezi that is diverted and channelled to the turbines? Or is the uptake to the turbines above the waterline? This failure by ZESCO to generate electricity for the nation is managerial incompetence and not nature! Some are advocating generators however mitigating air pollution must at the same time be considered.
Ifintu niLungu.