Zambia will not attain Millennium Development Goal on poverty – Chitala

GLOCOSU General Secretary Kelvin Chitala says any increase in fuel prices automatically triggers an increase in the prices of most essential commodities.

Mr. Chitala says the energy sector is one of the critical sectors which can determine the cost of living and doing business in the country.

Mr. Chitala adds that it is unfortunate that the price of fuel has been adjusted upwards, bus fares, mealie meal prices, sugar, cooking oil among other commodities will also go.

Mr. Chitala also notes that the adjustment in fuel price by government will also trigger an increase in the cost of doing business meaning the prices of goods and services will also go up which the poor majority Zambians will not be able to afford.

He says that with such increases, it is clear that the country will not attain the millennium development goal of eradicating poverty as more Zambian are beginning to live in poverty with the continued increase in the prices of the basic commodities.

Mr. Chitala says government through the ministry of energy and agriculture should critically look into the problem that has befallen the country especially that these are the areas government promised to do better during the campaigns.

He further adds that Zambia is endowed with an abundance of natural resources that must be put to good use for the purpose of uplifting the lives of the Zambian people.

He further states that it is the responsibility of government to devise means in which the country’s natural resources can begin to improve the lives of the Zambians.