THE government has not provided any financial assistance towards the hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Walter Mzembi has said.
Report by Tarisai Mandizha
Zambia and Zimbabwe will co-host the 20th UNWTO General Assembly from August 24-29 2013 in Livingstone, Zambia, and Victoria Falls.
The minister said this yesterday while giving oral evidence before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism chaired by Maxwell Dube on the progress made by the ministry towards the preparation of co-hosting of UNWTO General Assembly.
He said to date the Tourism ministry had not received any money from the government despite the fact that the country had successfully passed two inspection visits by the UNWTO.
“Zambia has received $20 million towards preparations, but Zimbabwe has not received a single dollar from Treasury,” Mzembi said.
He said his ministry was promised $6 million from Treasury, which was expected to be received by the end of January but to date no money had been released.
“Biti made a commitment to give us $6 million to fund the first phase of the general assembly, but now we are in February, we have not received a single cent from them. But we hope he will walk the talk,” Mzembi added.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Mzembi said his ministry had a total Budget of $11,9 million and had been receiving most of the support from the business community.
“We are grateful for the corporate interventions, especially Mbada Diamonds which have come forward with a pledge of $2,5 million,” Mzembi said.
