CONSTRUCTORS of Zimbabwe’s imposing new parliament building, perched on top of Mt Hampden, north of Harare last night lit up the building, which is nearing completion, to celebrate China’s National Day.
The National Day of the People’s Republic of China, is a public holiday celebrated annually on 1 October, commemorating the formal proclamation of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949.
In China, the holiday will be extended for a week, also known as the “golden week” because it is the biggest week for tourism in that country, when people reunite with families and take trips.
The US$100 million building, wholly funded through a grant from the Chinese government, is being carried out by Shanghai Construction Group, working closely with engineers from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
The new parliament building’s architectural design borrows heavily from the iconic Great Zimbabwe Monuments — one of the country’s leading tourist resorts and Unesco World Heritage Site — from which the country derives its name.
The great Zimbabwe resemblance can be seen through the lights, in magnificent drone pictures.
Shanghai Construction Group project manager for the Zimbabwe parliament building Cai Li Bo, last week told The NewsHawks that the building was 80% complete, adding work is likely to be completed in the next six months.
“Eighty-five percent of the facade of the New Parliament Building has been completed, and 90% of the equipment has been put in place. Seventy percent of the internal decoration have been completed,” he said.
“In total, 80% of the project has been completed. We are looking forward to completing the whole project in the coming six months months.”
The massive structure will have two conference centres each with a capacity to accommodate 350 people. It will also have a banquet hall which can accommodate 1 000 people, offices for parliamentary officers and several boardrooms for parliamentary committee sessions.
The project is seen as the first in the proposed new capital city and is seen as a gesture of friendship between Zimbabwe and China. — STAFF WRITER
