By NATION REPORTER
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) presidential candidate Chitalu Chilufya has appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to address the high prices of essential commodities such as mealie-meal, which is fetching K260 for a 25 kilogramme bag of breakfast meal and K160 for roller meal in some areas.
Dr. Chilufya who is former Minister of Health, said the hunger situation in the country would result in an increase in malnutrition cases and deaths if not addressed.
Speaking on Millennium TVs Millennium Tonight, Dr Chilufya expressed concern that the cost of living for a family of five as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for the month of January 2023 in Lusaka stood at K9, 047.31.
Dr Chilufya said with high unemployment levels, the high cost of living would exacerbate poverty levels in the country.
“The high cost of essential commodities in Zambia, particularly mealie-meal, has been a cause for concern for many Zambians,” Dr Chilufya said.
He expressed fear that the high cost of living would have a negative impact on the people, especially the vulnerable citizens.
Dr. Chilufya also expressed disappointment with recent remarks by Vice-President Mutale Nalumango who suggested that Zambians should eat roller meal, which is cheaper instead of breakfast.
He said Ms Nalumbango’s remarks were insensitive and provocative.
Dr. Chilufya said the PF had prioritized food security and that was why the previous administration delivered farming inputs by June and July.
He said Zambia was capable of achieving national food security with visionary leadership as the country was blessed with adequate land for agriculture to thrive.
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