New Parly to be handed over soon

Sunday Mail Reporter

The recently completed new Parliament building in Mount Hampden will be handed over to Government soon.

The US$200 million mega structure was constructed by Shanghai Construction Group through a grant from China.

Local Government and Public Works Permanent Secretary Mr Zvinechimwe Churu said the handover is “a process that is done between the two countries (Zimbabwe and China)”.  “The process is now in progress with a meeting scheduled between the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

“The meeting will give timelines regarding what needs to be done,” he said.

Parliament, he added, will move to its new seat immediately after the handover has been completed. “

As soon as the handover is done, then it would be up to the Government of Zimbabwe and Parliament to decide.”

After relocation, the old Parliament building will house Government ministries and departments currently renting office space.

Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said the new structure would enhance effective delivery of the Legislature’s mandate.

“The new Parliament building is going to solve a lot of accommodation problems we are currently facing,” said Mr Chokuda.

The new parliament, which covers 33 000 square metres, has a sitting capacity of 400 and 150 for the National Assembly and Senate, respectively.