adminZvamaida Murwira and Joseph Madzimure
Zimbabwe’s imposing new six-storey Parliament Building in Mount Hampden is taking recognisable shape with the concrete work almost complete.
The building is being undertaken on a 6-hectare stand on the high ground in Mount Hampden, about 20km from the city centre, in the midst of the new Parliament Precinct and is designed to accommodate all members of the National Assembly and Senate in comfort.
Shanghai Construction Group company project manager Mr Cai Libo said he wanted to complete the inner and outside structures of the building expeditiously so that from next year builders would concentrate on decorations and finishings. The building is scheduled to be ready for occupation in March 2021 and builders are now working round the clock.
The structure will have two conference centres, a banquet hall, offices, media centre, boardrooms, parking space, 12 committee rooms and many other facilities.
A new parliamentary complex will eventually also include flats for members representing non-Harare constituencies, saving large sums on allowances.
Officials from Shanghai Construction Group told President Mnangagwa during a familiarisation tour last Wednesday that they were set to complete the concrete works in a few weeks’ time.
President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi; Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda and other senior Government officials.
It was a hive of activity as both Chinese and Zimbabwean workers were busy, either mixing cement or operating heavy-duty machines to carry heavy equipment as the building takes shape.
The existing Parliament Building opposite Africa Unity Square was converted from a hotel that went bankrupt in the 1890s and was picked up at a bargain price by the British South Africa Company’s (BSAC) administrator.
China’s Deputy Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Zhao Baogang said the new Parliament building was testimony to the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries, which date back to the liberation struggle.
The Parliament Precinct is designed to be the centre of what is termed a new city, with Government offices and other facilities such as banks, schools, hotels and smart shops consistent with a modern city, one whose status is determined by infrastructure, not population. Even a new State House is planned in time.
The area is free from congestion and limitations that abound in Harare, and has ample land for more infrastructure.
Local Government and Public Works deputy director Engineer Henry Hungwe told The Herald last week that the new Parliament will be spectacular on completion.
He said the facility will also provide offices for Parliament’s workers.
“The Head of State and Government also has an office. There is also an office for the leader of the main opposition party,” he said.
Eng Hungwe said the Chinese contractor was expected to provide 150 car bays, with 50 reserved for VVIPs.
On its part, Government will provide a further 650 car bays to complement the structure’s plan.
A total of 18 863 hectares has been set aside for special planning for the new city, three-tier location abutting Mazowe and Zvimba Rural District Councils and the Harare City Council.
The special highway that will be built to the new Precint has already been named Chairman Mao Boulevard, honouring a friend of Zimbabwe as well as the Chinese gift.
In time, transport links will include high performance trains and an upgrade of the Charles Prince Airport nearby.
Eng Hungwe said there was also need to construct upmarket houses, hotels, schools, hospitals and world-class road network systems.
“We are not going to follow all the steps of attaining a city status, but we will start with a highly-integrated modern city.
“A city in that manner is determined by infrastructure, not the population per se,” he said.
It is envisaged that the nearby Zimbabwe National Defence University will be part of the new city.
Owners of some land in the area that will be needed for public purposes have already been compensated by the Government.
Online Reporter