Own Correspondent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa today broke ground for the building of a new parliament building complex. The building, which is to be located in Mt. Hampden on farmland north-west of the capital, Harare, will have a total floor area of 33,000 square metres.

According to the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, the New Parliament Building is a China-aid project and a donation to the country.

The site of the new Parliament Building is located on Prayer Hill in the North West of Harare. The project includes the
Parliament Office Building, Congress Hall, a square and roads.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony today, President Mnangagwa promised that under the new dispensation, Zimbabwe will meet its obligations to international financial institutions.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said China helped Zimbabwe during the liberation struggle and now it helps Zimbabwe to house its democracy.

“The old Parliament building was intended to house a minority whose version of democracy was not inclusive and only served the interests of a few,” he said.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi saidthe new Parliament Building project marks the start of a new settlement, a modern city.

Speaking on behalf of all Parliamentarians, Senate President, Hon Mabel Chinomona highlighted the challenges faced by legislators and other stakeholders at the current parliament building.

She said: “The current Parliament building was intended for 100 legislators, but now it has to hold over 300 representatives.”

In his speech at the ceremony, the Acting Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Zhao Baogang said that the New Parliament Building project is the largest project aided by the Chinese Government in Southern Africa.

The project’s total completion period is expected to be in 32 months, the envoy said.

When completed it will replace the current parliament building, built in the colonial era, which the government has said is too small to house its more than 200 lawmakers.