The envisaged new smart city in Mount Hampden, just outside Harare, is expected to court investment to the tune of US$2,8 billion, a development that is expected to set the tone for other urban developments emerging across the country.
The model of the new city in Mount Hampden, which already houses the magnificent and iconic Chinese built new Parliament Building, will not exert any burden on the fiscus.
This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, yesterday during a post-Cabinet media briefing.
She said Cabinet received and approved recommendations on the implementation model, the organisational structure and key appointments for the development and management of the new city in Mt Hampden, as presented by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the implementation of Phase II of the masterplan for the new city at Mt Hampden was on course on the backdrop of a tour of the new Parliament Building by President Mnangagwa in November last year.
“Cabinet approved the implementation model and organisational structure, which has three layers comprising the Cabinet, the New City Board and the New City Development Corporation (NCDORP),” she said.
“The New City Board will comprise ministers who have a critical role to contribute during the development of the new city. The board will be accountable to His Excellency the President and to Cabinet.
“The New City Development Corporation will be a formally registered institution capable of entering into contractual arrangements for the development of infrastructure, will implement construction projects and administer the new city for a period of 15 years.
“Its chief executive officer will serve as an administrative head of the corporation, and will be backed by consultants for each of the key operational areas. The nation is further informed that it will be the prerogative of His Excellency the President to appoint anchor investors of his choice, who will invest a minimum of US$1,5 billion and a maximum of US$2,878 billion in the new city. The implementation model does not exert a burden on the fiscus.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said such a model on developing and managing the new city in Mt Hampden will go a long way in assisting the nation to implement many other urban developments that are emerging across the country, including at Manhize, Kanyemba, Masuwe and Mahuwe.
In July last year, President Mnangagwa led a groundbreaking ceremony of a multi-million dollar Cyber City being built by a United Arab Emirates-based company, Mulk Holdings, a direct result of Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement agenda and its participation at the Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Cyber City will host the signature Mulk Tower, a five-star hotel, duty free mall, office buildings, luxury villas and recreational facilities, among other features.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet had approved the Memorandum of Understanding between Zimbabwe and Turkiye on cooperation in the field of energy, as presented by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi.
“The nation is being informed that the Government seeks to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Turkiye as part of the National Energy Policy in ensuring reliability and security as well as cost-effectiveness of energy services,” she said.
“The MoU will, among other areas, cover construction and management of renewable energy and other power plants; electricity distribution and transmission; and rehabilitation of power systems and plants.
“Cabinet advises that the bilateral cooperation between the two countries has the potential to increase access to electricity in Zimbabwe, thereby enabling growth of the economy.” – The Herald
