Construction of new parliament building on course

Chinese delegation expected at the end of this month to start preparations.
The current parliament building, converted from a hotel that went bankrupt in the 1890s, is too small for the 210 legislators.
A new Parliamentary complex will eventually also include flats for Parliamentarians representing non-Harare constituencies, saving large sums on allowances.
Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Xin confirmed the development last week.
“The Chinese Government promised to build a new parliament building. By end of this month Government will send a delegation to start this project,” Mr Xin said.
He was speaking during a photo exhibition at the Chinese embassy in Harare on Friday.
Mr Xin said the development highlighted the growing relations between Zimbabwe and China.
“We want to work together and make our relations reach higher levels.
“Relations between Zimbabwe and China are setting a good example in the world. Zimbabwe is an important country in southern Africa,” said Mr Shunkang.
At least US$140 million is required for the construction of the new Parliament building.
Last month Colonel Joseph Mhakayakora, a principal director in the Ministry of Public Works, told a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Works that designs for the project had already been approved.
“The Parliament building has already been designed by local architects and it went through all the committee stages for approval.
“We even went ahead and short-listed the contractors who are supposed to construct the building and we enabled our team to work on it as we even established their offices at the Kopje site,” he said.
Col Mhakayakora said the ministry would stick to the US$140 million budget even though it was not enough considering the magnitude of the project.
Chinese contractors have been involved in a number of projects in the country including the construction of the giant National Sports Stadium in Harare.