New Parly Building: We Feel Proud As Zimbabweans - ED

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that he asked Chinese leader, President Xi Jinping to fund the construction of the Parliament building during a visit to China in April 2018.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said the six-storey circular Parliament building located in Mt Hampden just outside Harare was built free of charge by China. He said:

When the Second Republic came in November 2017, I was then invited by His Excellency Xi Jinping, to visit the People’s Republic of China in April 2018, so when I met him, after the formal discussions we had a private discussion with His Excellency and he asked what I would want China to do for the Second Republic. I requested for this Parliament and he agreed and gave (it to us) as a grant.

This is the most magnificent Parliament I know personally that I have visited, it’s a heritage for our country and the design shows the history of our country, you will realise there is the Zimbabwe bird, conical tower replicated here. We feel very proud as Zimbabweans.

Mnangagwa and Xi also discussed two other projects during their private meeting, that is, the Hwange Unit 7 and 8 and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport which were both granted on a concessionary loan.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said his ministry has started the process of requesting China through the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ministry and the Chinese Embassy to agree on a date for the official opening of the new Parliament.

More: Chronicle