New parliament building to be completed in 2021

The New Parliament building which is being constructed by Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) in Mt Hampden will be commissioned in 2021,Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing July Moyo  has said.

Giving a post cabinet briefing on timelines for the construction of the new Parliament Moyo said a ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for 30 November 2018.

"His Excellency the President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa will preside over the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden on 30th November, 2018. This will trigger the commencement of construction work on this long awaited and very important Project." Moyo said.

A housing compound that will house over 40 Chinese and Zimbabwean artisans who will be working there  has been constructed. The contractor has assured us that the outer building will be ready in one year. The construction of the inner part and commissioning will be done in two and half years from the September.  

Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) is considered the world's 16th largest construction firm. The current parliament has become too small for the 270 parliamentarians. The proposed new parliament building is expected to hold 500 legislators.

The relocation of Parliament is expected to ignite development in Mt Hampden and the surrounding areas. Banking halls, residential areas, shopping centres and government buildings are expected to be built in the area.

The Principal Director in the ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Joseph Mhakayaora was recently quoted in the media saying, The contractors who won the tender are now on site and work has already started. The grant that was extended by the Chinese is now being drawn down and we expect to have a groundbreaking ceremony soon. There are few modifications that were done to the buildings plan and they are complete.