By Rungano Dzikira

Construction of Zimbabwe’s new parliament in Mt Hampden, near Harare is ahead of schedule, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, July Moyo has said.

Speaking during a tour to assess the construction progress of the new parliament building this Monday, Minister Moyo said that there was tremendous progress and construction was ahead of schedule.

“The construction project is well on course and we are satisfied with the progress made so far since constructors are actually two weeks ahead of schedule. I hope that this good record continues until completion,” he said.

Minister Moyo added that the project had come at an opportune time which will afford Zimbabwean lawmakers an ideal environment to discuss important legislation to drive the country’s economic agenda of becoming a middle income economy by 2030.

The new parliament is being financed through a US$100 million grant from the Chinese government, with Shanghai Construction Group responsible for the construction, which will pave way for a new satellite city near Harare.

Shanghai Construction Group project manager for the parliament building, Cai Li Bo expressed optimism over timely completion of the project.

“60% of the work had been done and the building should be complete by March 2021, in line with the deadline we are glad that the new parliament building project has the full support by Government,” he said.

The parliamentary complex will eventually include flats for Parliamentarians representing non-Harare constituencies, saving large sums on allowances.

The building’s architectural design borrows heavily from the iconic Great Zimbabwe Monuments and the waterfall in front borrows from the Victoria Falls - the country’s leading tourist destinations.