Govt must show willingness to develop Mt Hampden
IGATHER that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will tomorrow open the New Parliament building in Mt Hampden, on the outskirts of Harare.
I was elated to hear that construction has been completed and that very soon, all government business will be conducted at the new site.
But I realised that there is poor road network there, and government has not done anything to construct a new world-class road that links the new site with Chinhoyi Road.
I believe there must be road lighting, clear markings and cat’s eyes along the road, if we are to be convinced that government intends to make Mt Hampden a world-class city, considering that some investors are reportedly eyeing constructing state-ofthe-art buildings.
I understand land developers are also jostling to cash in from the new capital through selling residential and business stands.
I have one huge concern with the new capital, particularly how opposition legislators will manage to go and come back to their homes, considering the abductions that have reportedly been perpetrated by State agents.
Government and Mnangagwa must commit to ensuring the safety of opposition legislators.
The New Parliament site is a long distance from Harare and many things could happen along the way.
I think it’s high time opposition legislators also push government to guarantee their safety. In the past, we have had opposition legislators being accosted and reports of near-abductions emerging.
We have also had Harare West MP Joanah Mamombe being reportedly snatched from police custody and only to be found about 90km away from Harare.
So I have reason to believe that the New Parliament building and government offices will surely present challenges for opposition legislators. Pikirayi