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Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Harare councillors have urged city officials to expedite the opening of the multi-million- dollar Harare Gulf Sunshine Bazaar constructed along Simon Mazorodze in Mbare to decongest the Central Business District.
The complex, which is a $10 million joint venture project between the Harare City Council and international property developer, El Nour United Engineering Group, houses 500 small shops.
The complex was meant to decongest the Central Business District and provide business space for the majority of small scale traders who have been operating along pavements in the CBD.
According to the recent minutes of the Business Committee, a report was presented by acting town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango advising council that Harare Sunshine Holdings and its business partners were eager to see the complex opened.
“During discussions, the committee urged Acting Town Clerk to expedite the official opening of the complex as this will help decongest the city of vending activities,” he said. “The committee further tasked the acting town clerk to engage the stakeholders on the need to review downwards the rentals for the shops.
“The committee further discussed the proposed handover of the complex to Department of Housing and Social Development and were of the view that the project was commenced under a joint venture business model, hence had to be operated as a commercial business under the Business Committee.”
After some deliberation, the committee resolved that it be noted that consultations between City of Harare, Harare Sunshine Holdings and the business partner were underway to arrange for the official opening of Phase 1 of the complex.
It also resolved that Eng Chisango engages the relevant stakeholders on the need to review downwards the rentals for the shops at Phase 1 of the project.
Upon completion, the mall will house banks, supermarkets and other businesses.
It is being implemented in two phases, with the first stage already complete.
The mall is targeting consumers from the lower end market of the city’s western suburbs.
Online Reporter