Govt urged to address key challenges amid COVID 19 -JCTR

LUSAKA – The Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has called on Government to address the key challenges that the nation is facing amid Covid-19.The centre indicates that the country has in the past few months witnessed job losses, reduced economic activities and is projected to close the year with an economic growth rate of minus 4.2 per cent.In a statement issued by JCTR Social and Economic Development Manager Chama Mundia, the Centre has continued to put emphasis on the need to guard against increases in macroeconomic variables such as inflation.Mr Mundia stated that the inflation erodes the disposable incomes of households thereby compromising living standards.He further stated that the shortage of fuel needs to be urgently addressed given the important role it plays in facilitating various economic activities.He noted that the notable shortage of fuel will bring about its own challenges in the production chain crippling business activities as fuel is an essential input in the economy.Mr Mundia added that JCTR reiterates the need to rein in an expansionary fiscal stance that has over the years threatened the delivery of robust and inclusive social and economic development.“The cost of living for a family of five as measured by the JCTR for the month of October 2020 stood at K7,060.29, a decline of K11.08 from the September basket of K7,071.37. The reduction in the basket can be attributed to reductions in some food items like fruits and Kapenta,” said Mr Mundia.Mr Mundia explained that the reductions where however offset by increases in items such as mealie meal which moved from K164.85 in September to K187.28 showing an increase of K22.43.As the year 2020 is drawing to a close, Zambia has seen a rise in the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases which now stand at 16,770 since the first two cases were recorded in March 2020.ZANIS The Sun