Chronicle Editor
Blessings Chidakwa and Ivan Zhakata, Harare Bureau
Coronavirus (covid-19), whose effects are being felt across the world, has impacted on projects in Zimbabwe, with construction of the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden slowed down after 100 technocrats failed to return from China.
The epidemic has also delayed the delivery of essential equipment for the project from the Asian country.
The absence of the technocrats and equipment is affecting work at the mega project, where construction of the super structure is now complete and focus is shifting to the interior. The 100 technocrats, among them project engineers, had gone back home for their annual leave.
Some of the equipment that is stuck in China comprises transformers, furniture, air conditioners and distribution boxes. The project is being carried out by the Shanghai Construction Group of China under a government to government agreement.
Completion of the six storey circular building is expected to solve issues of space affecting the current Parliament Building, which has 270 legislators against a capacity of 120.
The new building has capacity to hold 600 people.
At the moment, legislators in the National Assembly are failing to follow proceedings due to unavailability of enough space in the Chamber. Our sister paper The Herald on Friday visited the site housing the new building designed to accommodate all members of the National Assembly and Senate members in comfort and observed notable progress.
The joint-structure has taken shape with roof installation finished, focus is now on plastering, which is underway on the walls that would be sound proofed.
Pillars signfiying the Great Zimbabwe monuments that will have the symbolic Zimbabwean birds on top have already been erected. Speaking at the site, Shanghai Construction Group company project manager Mr Cai Libo said coronovirus has had an effect on the project.
“There are more than 100 people, including some project engineers, stuck in China due to coronavirus as they are being restricted to travel,” he said. “Also, factories that are supposed to supply us with equipment like elevators were closed down for almost a month, affecting production and this has delayed the delivery of equipment here.”
Mr Cai expressed optimism that they will still meet their March 27 deadline to complete the 30-month project, which started on September 28 in 2018.
At the moment, focus is on the floors for the Senate chamber and the ceiling for the National Assembly chamber. There is also work on the firefighting equipment, plumbing, electricity and telephone cables being installed.
Online Reporter