New Parliament venue for 44th SADC Summit
Brian Rungano Temba
As Zimbabwe prepares to host the 44th session of the SADC Summit, preparations are now over 50percent in completion.
Zimbabwe will host the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government and assume the Chairmanship of SADC on 17th August, 2024.
A government minister who confirmed this early this week pointing out that Vice President, General (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga is running point, as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on SADC Summit Preparations.
Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Hon. Dr. Jenfen Muswere said, the Summit will be hosted at the New Parliament Building in the New City at Mt. Hampden and a week prior to the Summit, the country will host the SADC Industrialisation Week.
“The Vice President, Honourable General (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwengwa is coordinating the preparations for hosting the Summit.
Accordingly, three Inter-Ministerial Committees, embracing all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, were established to spearhead the preparations. The Committees are; Sub-Committee on Finance and Agreement, which is responsible for overseeing the financing of the whole preparatory programme.
The Sub-Committee on Construction, to develop the requisite hosting facilities and the enabling infrastructure.
And the Sub-Committee on Communication, Brand Promotion and Publicity, which is responsible for disseminating information about Zimbabwe’s hosting of the SADC Summit and manage SADC monitoring and evaluation visits relating to the preparedness of the country to host the SADC Summit,” said Hon Dr Muswere.
In terms of the on site preparations Hon Dr Muswere told the press that the half of the work was done with special attention being given to the sanitation and waste management.
“Landscaping, rehabilitation and construction of access roads to the venue of the Summit are ongoing. The landscaping works are 58percent complete, while the civil works are 67percent complete.
The Public Works Department is constructing a 2.8 mega litre water tank which is expected to be completed by June 2024.
Meanwhile, the City of Harare is installing bio-digesters for managing waste-water. The Municipality will also repair and upgrade traffic signals at key intersections on routes leading to the SADC Summit venue and hotels to be utilized by delegates around the City, as well as ensuring that street lights are working,” he added.
In terms of rehabilitation of main access roads, Hon Dr Muswere said that three main packages under this programme are being undertaken.
“Under these packages is the he the Harare-Chirundu Section from Julius Nyerere Street to 2nd Street-Lomagundi Road to Westgate Traffic Circle.
The Harare-Kanyemba Section from Harare Drive to intersection with the New Parliament Boulevard. Lastly, the New Parliament Boulevard, New Parliament Loop Road, Access Roads, and Old Mazowe Road.
In addition, a number of selected roads from the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to the City Centre and the access roads leading to the main access roads to the New Parliament, are being rehabilitated,” said Hon Dr Muswere.
For proceedings on the date of the event, Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services is coordinating provision of infrastructure to meet SADC Information Communication Technology requirements and facilitate a seamless flow of meetings and sessions during the Summit.
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