The Sunday Mail
Debra Matabvu
GOVERNMENT has secured US$101 million for the construction of a new Parliament building in Mount Hampden with the project expected to start before the end of the year. Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said President Mugabe has already approved one of three proposed models (pictured right), with Cabinet ministers expected to view all three models this week.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Engineer George Mlilo said tenders for the construction of the building were being finalised. “So far US$101 million is now available, with the Chinese government availing US$90 million and Zimbabwe forking out US$11 million for offsite infrastructure,” he said.
The new Parliament building is among the 12 mega-deals signed between China and Zimbabwe last year.
The deals cover key sectors such as infrastructure, telecommunications and energy.
The Sunday Mail understands that the building will have new designs after the Chinese government proposed latest design and technology.
Initial indications were that baseline and architectural studies would be conducted this year so that construction could start in 2017.
However, plans changed when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Zimbabwe in December last year and directed acceleration of the project.
The grant aid-funded project will see the construction of a new Parliament building with capacity to hold 500 legislators.
The current building is crowded after the number of parliamentarians increased from 210 to 270 members.
Recreational facilities, banking halls, houses, state-of-the-art shopping centres, hotels and Government buildings will also be constructed.
Urban planning expert Mr Percy Toriro said, “Zimbabweans must now strategically position themselves to do infrastructure development work as either main contractors, or come in as sub-contractors.
“There are a number of advantages that come with the new site. First, the proposed site is free from congestion and other limitations associated with the city centre location,” he said.
“Second, there is an opportunity to come up with other developments in Mount Hampden since there is ample land for development.
“Rather than just relocate the Parliament, other economic activities can also be located close to it, thereby making it a catalyst for general economic development.
“There is a concern that the City of Harare has run out of land for development and this move opens up a new frontier for commercial, industrial, and other urban development land needs.
“A development of that nature and magnitude presents lots of opportunities that we must be on the look-out for.”
In 2007, the Chinese government funded construction of a new parliament building in Lesotho at a cost of US$9 million through Shandong Yantai Construction Company. The building was completed in 2012.
