The Ministry of Finance has released in excess of 5 million Kwacha for the Ministry of Tourism and Arts to fund statutory bodies.
Tourism and Arts Minister Dr. Charles Banda explains that 1, 780,371.67 has been allocated to National Museums Board to dismantle two months salary arrears.
Dr. Banda says K 1, 665,916.67 has been allocated to the Zambia Tourism Agency receives while K 1,125,010.00 is allocated to the National Heritage Conservation Commission for salary arrears as well.
He adds that the Zambia Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Studies has been allocated K413,121.67, while the Hostels Board of Management will receive K208,333.00 and National Arts Council will receive K200, 000.00.
The Tourism Minister further notes that grants for establishment for artists and artisan is are amounting to K41,666. 67.
He was speaking at his office this afternoon following the pronouncement by President Edgar Lungu saying that government would work out modalities to sort out salary arrears in statutory bodies and dismantle them.
He says the Ministry had accrued salary arrears for its statutory bodies due to delayed release of grants.