By Shongedzai Mugwagwa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his two deputies - Vice President General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, have, for the third time toured the new Parliament building site in Mt. Hampden today. 

The new Parliament building which will mark the first arm of government to relocate to a new proposed city in Mt Hampden, is situated 20km West of Harare and is being constructed by Shanghai Construction Group of China. 

Addressing delegates, President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for the grant to construct the biggest modern Parliament in Southern Africa. 

He said that the gesture was a confirmation of growing relations between the two countries. 

“The people of Zimbabwe will never tire to express their gratitude to the People’s Republic of China and their President, Xi Jinping for the gesture they extended to Zimbabwe to construct a modern Parliament in Zimbabwe,” he said. 

He further said that the relations and cooperation between the two countries were escalated when his administration made a maiden visit to China.

“Besides the building being unique, it’s demonstrative of our comprehensive, strategic relationship with the People’s Republic of China. There are many friends we have, but this is one symbolic stature which generations to come will know it is a demonstration of the cooperation between the people of Zimbabwe and the people of China,” added President Mnangagwa. 

The Acting Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Zhao Baogang, said that his country was confident that Zimbabwe will achieve its developmental goals under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.

He said that Zimbabwe was enjoying international cooperation with China already enjoying fruitful ties with Zimbabwe and undertaking major developmental projects in the country.

The tour revealed that the builders are almost complete on the concrete structure of the building and Mr Baogang revealed that the pace at which the Constructors are moving at, guarantees that the new building will be complete before its expected date, March 2021. 

“Every time when we come here, we notice the tremendous excellent pace at which the construction is moving at, an impressive pace. I want to applaud the Shanghai Construction Group of China workforce both Chinese and Zimbabweans who are making this symbol of friendship between the two countries achievable,” said the President.