COST OF LIVING STILL HIGH

PRESIDENT Haka inde Hichilema when in the opposition spoke highly against the high cost of living people were subjected to.

He promised during his political campaigns prior to the August 12, 2021 general elections that he would reduce the cost of living for the people when he becomes President.

Mr Hichilema accused the Patriotic Front government of being insensitive to the plight of the majority Zambians.

The United Party for National Development (UPND) under the leadership of Mr Hichilema is governing the affairs of the nation and it must show political will in improving the welfare of the people who are suffering.

The UPND despite promising to lower the cost of living, the opposite is the case. Truth be said, it is this one: the cost of living is higher under the new dawn administration than it was under the Patriotic Front. This can be evidenced by the ever rising prices of goods and services.

Prices of goods and services increase almost on a daily basis. This is unacceptable. It is surprising that the rate of inflation in Zambia is at 9.8 percent but this single digit inflation rate does not translate into reduced prices of goods and services.

It is a well-known fact that people are grappling with high poverty levels in our country. The majority of the people are surviving on less than a dollar per day.

The price of a 25kg mealie meal, our staple food, is selling at K140.00, a loaf of bread at K16.00, 2.5 litres of cooking oil at K125.00, one kg of beef at K75.00 and live chicken at K110.00, among other food products. These commodity prices vary from one location to another.

However, the disposable income of most employees in the formal sector is not enough. This makes it difficult for them to afford the basic necessities of life. The traders on the other hand, don’t make enough profits because of low sales as most of the consumers don’t have money.

Business has become highly competitive due to many players in the market selling the same or similar products.

Good life regarding the ever increasing prices of goods and services is a preserve of the few elite people. This category of people cope with the high cost of living because they are financially sound. This should not be the case.

The new dawn administration should find the solution to the high cost of living prevailing in the country. Most commodities are more expensive under the new dawn administration than they were under the PF.

ELEMIYA PHIRI,

Lusaka.