New capital city: Experts take position

Lincoln Towindo
Chinese technical experts will visit Zimbabwe in November to evaluate the envisaged construction of a new parliament building in Mt Hampden.
The US$140 million project forms the nexus around which Zimbabwe’s new capital city will be constructed beginning 2017.
It is understood private investors are in a flurry, with interests ranging from real estate to general infrastructure development.
The Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Ministry’s principal director, Colonel (Rtd) Joseph Mhakayakora, told The Sunday Mail that, “This team of technical experts from China will be in Zimbabwe for technical discussions with the ministry around plans to construct the new parliament building.
“Since the project was first unveiled, we have received great interest from investors seeking to take advantage of its benefits to partner us in developing the area.
“Most inquiries have come from investors in the areas of real estate. Negotiations have been going ahead and we have had follow-up meetings with investors who were impressed by the opportunities that the project offers.
“Some investors have received clearance to conduct feasibility studies relating to their areas of interest, and a Chinese contractor, who will construct the new parliament building, will be announced soon.”
The new parliament complex is a priority under Zim-Asset, though it has been on the cards for some years following the Legislature’s expansion.
Villas, flats, a hotel, a restaurant and a golf course are among its key features.
The complex will be at the heart of the new capital city whose funding will largely be sourced via land sales and external loans underwritten by the Finance and Economic Development Ministry.
This new metropolis is part of a grand strategy to de-congest Harare, which was originally tailored for a smaller population but now has over 2,1 million people.
Designed in the mould of South Africa’s Sandton in Johannesburg, the city will accommodate Government ministries, Parliament, residential areas, shopping malls, hotels and industries.