CONSTRUCTION of Zimbabwe’s massive new parliament in Mt Hampden is now 70% complete, the project manager of Shanghai Construction Group, Cai Li Bo, told The NewsHawks this week.
“We are decorating the ceilings and walls. We are also doing finishings of the floors,” he said.
The imposing six-storey parliament building, perched on Mt Hampden, north of Harare, is being financed through a US$100 million grant from the Chinese government with Shanghai Construction Group – one of the largest contractors in the world – carrying out the project.
It is the largest project in southern Africa financed by China Aid — a state-owned global development aid agency — and the biggest to benefit a single African country.
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.
In addition, it will house a media centre, boardrooms and parking space, among other facilities.
Once the new parliament is complete, construction of a new capital city in the area is expected to gather pace.
The government has announced that its offices and amenities such as banks, schools, hotels and smart shops consistent with a modern city will be built in Mt Hampden.—STAFF WRITTER
