Bishop Banda Offers Flock Counsel in Light of Fuel Hike
Arch Bishop of Lusaka and Ndola Diocese Apostolic Administrator Dr Alick Banda has added a spiritual context to the grumblings about the recent fuel increase.
Bishop Banda has urged his flock to cut their cloth according to their economic size in light of the hardships that may be spurred by the fuel price increase.
FULL WRITE UP
Luaska Arch Bishop and Ndola Diocese Apostolic Administrator Dr Alick Banda writes:
Morning, I got news yesterday (Tuesday) of the new fuel prices. It is undebatable that this makes living expensive whether you drive or not. The likely thing is that the nation is now gripped with lamentations about this situation. That is expected but provides no solution to the reality. Here is what I propose we do:
- Reduce your expenses by avoiding unnecessary driving. Those who live in the same neighbourhood and take children to the same schools create a duty rota for school runs.
- Reduce your food budget by not buying what you can produce. Backyard gardens are becoming a necessity. Plant maize for your mealie meal.
- Ensure you have more than one source of income through investing in some business. Think fish farming, poultry production, and value addition.
- Make sure your dependants are dependable. You have a responsibility to ensure the adults in your home are economically useful. You don’t need a maid if you have grown up daughters or an unemployed wife or husband. Let your husband or wife sweep the house, wash clothes and cook as their contribution to home management.
The situation is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Do not be a candidate for permanent poverty by refusing to act wisely. Everyone in your home must win bread otherwise the breadwinner will die before his or her time due to pressure. Go to work now.