Zimbabwe is set to build a new parliament building in Mt Hampden. The construction will be wholly funded by the Chinese to the tune of $165 million. A Chinese firm, Shanghai Construction group has been contracted for the task. Some critics have queried why Minister of Finance, Mthuli Ncube allocated US$3,8 million for the construction of the parliament building when it is wholly funded by a Chinese grant. Deputy Minister for Information and Broadcasting Services, Energy Mutodi clarified on the issue of double allocation. He said
The $3,8 million injected by the Finance minister is meant for auxiliary costs such as land surveys, development of basic infrastructure, amongst others which are not covered by the Chinese. Just because the Chinese are funding the project, it does not mean we are not making any effort.
The project, worth $165 million, is fully-funded by the Chinese. It is part of the mega-deals which President Emmerson Mnangagwa clinched when he visited China.