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Mealie Meal-Cement Prices Go Up, Contractors To Abandon Jobs
Cement prices in most retail outlets in Lusaka have increased from about KR65 to KR75 owing to the increase in the fuel prices.
A check in several outlets in Lusaka has revealed that the cement traders are now selling a pocket of cement for KR75 because of the transportation costs.
This increase now means the cost of construction will now go up as cement is a key component in building.
And some companies with construction contracts with government and other agencies have told the Watchdog that they are going back for amendments of their contracts costs owing to the increase in the construction industry.
They say the increase in the movement of construction materials will also result in shoddy works or even abandoning projects as they are not making any profits.
“For us to make some profits, we have also been forced to lay-off some workers and this will mean project completion will be delayed, abandoned, or result in shoddy works,” said one of the contractors.
Under pressure to raise money for by-elections and maintain a huge cabinet that is not affected by these measures, the PF government recently increase the fuel prices in move that Chishimba Kambwili and other senior PF government officials described will only affect the few people who drive from one pub to the other.
So far bus fares on both local and long distance routes in Zambia have been increased.
The prices of mealie meal is also increasing because of the high production and transportation costs and further increases on commodities is expected as Zesco intends to increase electricity tariffs.
Yesterday, Agriculture Minister Bob Sichinga also announced the removal of maize subsidies, a move that will further increase the cost of mealie meal prices.
University of Zambia students immediately protested at the sharp rise in the cost of living owing to the punitive measures by government that promised to lower people’s livelihood.
Posted by Editor
on May 15, 2013. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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Zebige
May 15, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Poorly written article.I can`t see the connection between Mealie meal and cement prices to Bye -elections.
Lusaka
May 15, 2013 at 1:51 pm
The Pa Fwaka government are destroying our country. Come 2016 they are going out
Alex
May 15, 2013 at 2:05 pm
continue praising the pf until u come to realistics
mama mwine
May 15, 2013 at 2:19 pm
This is a lie! Am building and cement prices went high a few weeks before fuel prices were incresed. This is due to the lafarg breakdown creating a shortage. Poor reporting
isaac
May 15, 2013 at 3:21 pm
That is what most of us know. Cement price went up before fuel hike do not cheat.
Acid
May 15, 2013 at 6:52 pm
You are very foolish.
Umupandapwiti
May 15, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Ba PF ba fikila I am regretting having voted for you. Imagine working up around 04:05 just to vote for you satana uko???
bbwii
May 15, 2013 at 2:46 pm
,these bye-Elections are costing our living,in the country,for this government meajmeaj,will go up to 100,we are very disappointed for voting this government,hope 2016 this government will be no more,the president doesn’t think wisely.
Ndaje Kahks
May 15, 2013 at 2:54 pm
THE MOMENT I SAW THE SOURCE OF THIS STORY, THE STORY LOST ITS STING.
sky
May 15, 2013 at 2:59 pm
sata pliz die….on the prt ov homo dnt even thnk about it…sata aaaaaaah…no words am angry
MOSSAD
May 15, 2013 at 4:12 pm
I HOPE PROTITUTES WILL NOT INCREASE THEIR FARES
Sparks Chimbwendembwende
May 15, 2013 at 4:27 pm
Prostitutes will definately increase the pricing of their trade. Kabili umutengo wamataba naunina so naifwa kubikilako ama “Departure Fees” in order to afford the expected high prices of mealie meal. Besides, these prostitutes eat Nshima in the morning after expending too much energy in the night to satisfy their circumcised customers!!!
tru man
May 15, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Only God will deliver us. No matter how many govts you are goin to change. This world is in the hands of the wicked one. Pipo have the same traits like the ruler of this world.
Chaleshi
May 15, 2013 at 5:22 pm
In some countries people stand up and fight for their rights and what right. Here too much prayers and only hoping for Jesus to come yet dying of hunger. wait for 2016 and the situation will be irreversible. Keep on praying and complaining. Just a thought; Suppose Sata was still in opposition, what would he saying today if it were others doing this? and by the way, where is our opposition?
the good old days
May 15, 2013 at 6:09 pm
There is no serious opposition my dear. Whenever our opposition speak, they talk about Sata not being health, Sata being evil etc. no concrete debates. They just sensilessly critiize and ont offer checks and balances. SHAME
kakolwe
May 15, 2013 at 7:49 pm
I have one request for BaSata. Can you, out of honour, appologise to Levy (posthumosly) & RB? You preached that we had highest Taxes & fuel taxes due to incompentece. Are you?
Umungulu
May 15, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Ask bashiBwalya Fulanki about prices, he will say he will reduce. But if he became president, they would double. Even MMD was saying the same before 1991. Bonse batungululwa na umo – ciwa.
Kulekwamyo Kapyololo
May 16, 2013 at 6:17 am
No. 1 – You must be blind to have missed this connection between the removal of subsidies and raising money for by-elections, or maybe you’re just a lousy PF cadre:
“Under pressure to raise money for by-elections and maintain a huge cabinet that is not affected by these measures, the PF government recently increase the fuel prices in move that Chishimba Kambwili and other senior PF government officials described will only affect the few people who drive from one pub to the other.”
uhu
May 16, 2013 at 7:15 am
p f,chopeti govt,
Chisanga
May 16, 2013 at 7:19 am
I also regret pf bouncing in to power. were is the oposition bane? pipo let us work up and protest againest mealie meal and fuel. come 2016.
Ndaje Kahks
May 16, 2013 at 7:42 am
Depoliticise mealie meal. I have known people who have been farming for years but have continued getting subsdised inputs from the government. Question is why havent they started to buy the inputs on their own? I started maize farming last without getting fertilizer/seed from government. I managed to sell 100 bags and I managed to increase the limas this year and will do so for next season. This is what I expect others to do. All these subsdised inputs have just been complicating matters for each government that we have put in power. Lets monitor these people who are always getting free in puts and see what they do with them. Otherwise we shall continue crying about food un Christ comes
IYE PF KWENA
May 16, 2013 at 7:39 am
Kwena why did i vote for PF, i told good news about PF starting fro my family n going out. We voted for PF not knowing dat we were setting up a trap for ourselves.
Nyungu Zajungu
May 16, 2013 at 11:52 am
Give PF chance, we see the long-term effects of their policies. Respect Leadership at all times.
Gettolink
May 16, 2013 at 11:54 am
Ba swine PF. Imagine from Pabwato to Pansala. Ba ****** u woke us up around 04:00 pakumi votela but mwatuchingisha amano. We will bring bak ba Kaunda its too much. ukutumpa
Nyungu Zajungu
May 16, 2013 at 11:54 am
Give PF chance, we see the long-term effects of their policies. Respect Leadership at all times. Leadership is not easy and certin decisions affect people but always give chance.
man j
May 16, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Dear Zambians the removal of fuel subsidies hv a serious implication olmost evrythng is going up hw does ths benefit the poor it becomes evn more difficult.The 90 days rule ws tok of the day Zambians thought 90 days is o it took its ws o deception,sme thought Jods will cme on silver plates absolutely nt the key is strengthen the economy thr by bringing mor investment leading to job creation if the govt imposes harsh policies the investors myt leave..wen Znbc hosts debates mr Sata wsnt thr y blame the oposition?he didn’t present da agenda o plans o it ws ws fabrication.Am a cconcerned Zambian we o mst wake up and 4 once mak da ryt Choices..
Random citizen
May 18, 2013 at 10:59 am
If the cement prices where high before fuel subsidies came in, doesn’t that mean that now that fuel prices are up, cement prices will shoot up further? Construction industry could be in for serious trouble.