A total of 100 billion kwacha (about 23.26 million U.S. dollars) meant for housing allowance arrears has been misapplied by civil servants in various Zambian government ministries, a deputy minister said Friday.Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Jonas Shakafuswa said an audit undertaken by the ministry uncovered this embezzlement case.

A minister said here on Friday the Zambian government would soon launch tenders for international firms to explore oil and gas which are discovered in Northwestern province late last year.

Mines and Mineral Development Minister Kalombo Mwansa said in a statement that those areas with potential oil and gas had been demarcated so that private firms could bid for specific blocks.