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Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
President Mnangagwa is today expected to deliver his first State of the National Address and also officially open the first session of the ninth Parliament setting the legislative agenda.

The President will address a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.

Preparations for the event were in place yesterday while a number of roads around the Parliament building will be closed to motorists during the proceedings.

Speaker of the National Assembly said everything was in place for today’s event.

“Everything is place and we are looking forward to the event,” he said.

The legislative agenda is expected to be dominated by laws that enhance the country’s attractiveness to investors and streamline investment laws to reduce red tape.

President Mnangagwa has already indicated that Government’s thrust is to consolidate the economic reforms that started with the coming of the new dispensation.

During his inauguration speech he reiterated that the focus of his administration was on the economy.

The parliamentarians have also embraced the policy direction given by the President and pledged to speed up passage of laws in the august house.

Parliament is dominated by Zanu-PF after winning the polls with a two-thirds majority on July 30.

Before addressing the legislators, the President is expected to inspect a guard of honour by members of the Zimbabwe National Army while there would be a fly past by the Air Force of Zimbabwe as per tradition.

Following the President’s address the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing will host the traditional luncheon for legislators.

The roads that will be closed today are Nelson Mandela at Sam Nujoma to Simon Muzenda Street, Third Street at Jason Moyo Street, George Silundika at Third Street, St Mary’s Lane and Nelson Mandela Avenue, Kwame Nkrumah from Sam Nujoma to Simon Muzenda Street and Samora Machel and Samora Machel and Sam Nujoma Street.

The roads will be closed from 6AM to 3PM on both days.