Andrew
Sunday Mail Correspondent
THE recently completed Parliament Building in Mount Hampden, which was constructed as a gift to the people of Zimbabwe by the People’s Republic of China, “shows a deep relationship between the two countries”, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
The mega structure was constructed by Shanghai Construction Group through a grant from China.
Speaking after touring the new building last week, Sen Mutsvangwa said the spacious and well-equipped Parliament will enable parliamentarians to effectively carry out their mandate.
“This is an amazing building which has been made possible by a grant from the People’s Republic of China, which shows a deep relationship between the two countries. We are very grateful for President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement efforts, and this shows that we are going very far as a country. This will enable legislatures to do their work, as you are aware they have three mandates, which are representative, making legislation and oversight,” she said.
Chinese contractors will maintain the building until 2024.
Sen Mutsvangwa said the Second Republic is committed to modernising the country’s infrastructure to standards befitting a prosperous society envisaged under Vision 2030.
Currently, work is underway to modernise Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and Beitbridge Border Post, while the expansion of Hwange Power Station – expected to feed an additional 600MW into the grid – is nearing completion.
New dams to meet demand of towns and cities across the country are being constructed, while roads are being rehabilitated.
“The Second Republic, as you are aware, walks the talk. This is just one of the buildings which have been done. You also know the airport is almost finished, Beitbridge Border Post is undergoing massive renovation and there are many other projects on stream.”
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said there are protocols to be followed before Parliament business moves to the new building.
“As it stands, the building is still to be officially handed over to Government, which will then hand over to Parliament. So we have no dates as yet of when we will move in,” he said.
The new Parliament covers 33 000 square metres and has two structures, which are a six-storey building and a four-storey block that mimic the Great Zimbabwe monument.
The office building and Parliament building are connected by three bridges on each floor.
National Assembly and Senate chambers have seating capacities of 400 and 150, respectively.
It also has over 600 rooms for office space for VVIP, VIPs, MPs, library, parliamentary staff and media.
The building has been fitted with advanced high-tech systems.
During the tour, Sen Mutsvangwa was accompanied by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Kindness Paradza and senior officials from the ministry.
Online Reporter