The new Parliament building to be constructed at the top of Qoatsaneng will have an element of Basotho culture.

This was revealed by the Building and Design Services Senior Engineer Mr. Lesenyeho Ramalitse in an interview with LENA on Tuesday.

He said the new parliament will have a structure of Mokorotlo-like and that it will be constructed by locally available materials like sandstones.

Mr. Ramalitse said the design was made by the Chinese, saying Basotho also had their input in modifying some features to suit the Lesotho weather conditions and topology.

Among others, Mr. Ramalitse said the new parliament will have offices for top government officials like the Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, Opposition parties and others.

He said the five storey building, will be accessible and conducive for people with disability.

However, he was not able to disclose the figures for the construction of the parliament, saying the government of Lesotho has already constructed roads, electricity, sewerage and water supply around the site.

'The government will also construct a wall surrounding the site and landscape, while the government of China will incur construction costs of the parliament itself as the donation,' he explained.

It will be constructed by the China Yangian Group Company Limited and the work is expected to commence early next month, and will last for two years.

On the other hand, a local construction, These Construction Company, is currently leveling the ground to prepare for the construction.

According to the company's Foreman and Surveyor Mr. Leroala Rakhoabe, the work will be complete by September 28.

Mr. Rakhoabe said there are close to 15 Basotho who are employed now including the Kou brothers sub-contract.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the People's Republic of China led by Assistant Minister of Commerce will visit Lesotho from September 20 to 22.

A press statement from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing says the delegation will among others pay courtesy call on Prime Minister Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili, have a meeting with the Minister of Trade Mr. Popane Lebesa and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Mohlabi Tsekoa.

The delegation will also meet the Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr Timothy Thahane, sign an agreement on economic and technical cooperation between the two governments, exchange of letters on China's assistance in building two rural schools.

It will also tour 'Manthabiseng Convention Centre, State Library and Archives and site for new Lesotho Parliament building.

Source: LENA 11/09/2006