The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection observes that the cost of living in the country remains high, and the government has yet to give a clear road map for addressing this challenge.
The Centre further remains concerned about the lack of more stringent measures to improve the cost of living, noting that as the year’s end approaches, the cost of living has remained consistently above the K9, 000 mark in Lusaka, with the national average cost exceeding K6, 000.
JCTR Social & Economic Development Programme Manager Muchimba Siamachoka adds that, as a point of reflection for the two years in government marked in August 2023, JCTR, like the rest of the citizenry, is still looking forward to the fulfillment of government’s commitment to “Restore Economic Growth and Safeguard Livelihoods” and particularly in relation to addressing the cost of living.
She states that as the budget reading draws closer, JCTR would like to re-emphasise the need for the government to treat the cost of living challenge with utmost urgency through priority sectors, especially those that directly seek to positively impact the lives of those suffering the most from this crisis.
