The construction of an extension of the Houari-Boumediene International Airport, with a capacity of 10 million passengers per year, was officially launched on Thursday by Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, who inspected several development projects in the capital.
"This is a great project for the future of Algeria," said Sellal after laying the foundation stone of the new terminal’s construction works.
Part of Algiers Airport’s development leading plan, the new terminal is located between Terminal 1 (International) and the new VIP lounge. It will be built over an area of ​​73 hectares, with a budget of DZD90.299 billion, according to the specifications of the project.
The construction work was entrusted to a Chinese company, which pledged to deliver the project within 40 months, in 2018.
During the working visit, Sellal, accompanied by several ministers and the governor of Algiers, has also inspected the site of the Airport’s new control tower, which is expected to be delivered by December 2015.
Several projects to modernize Algiers airport were also presented to the Prime Minister, including a linkage to the rail network and a connection to the Algiers metro.
Previously, Sellal visited the site of the Grand Opera of Algiers, a gift from the Republic of China to Algeria granted ​​on the occasion of President Bouteflika’s state visit to the country in February 2004.
Located in the commune of Ouled Fayet (west of Algiers), the 1,400 seat-capacity opera reached a progress rate of 75% and it is planned to be delivered in July 2015, according to project officials.
In preparation for the commissioning of the future Opera of Algiers, Sellal instructed the officials to set up a body for the management and the training of staff.
Moreover, the Premier inspected the sites of the development of Oued El Harrach (El Harrach River) (downstream part) and the Walk of Sablettes, in the municipality of Hussein Dey where he received explanations on the status of works.
Regarding the Oued El Harrach, which development progress rate reached 50% over 18km, Sellal requested the “immediate'' inclusion of a project of a marina at downtown and the creation of a public company for the management of recreation sites.
Three outdoor pools will be delivered on the right bank of the mouth of Oued El Harrach in December, announced Algiers Director Water Resources, Smail Amir.
He also said that in July 2015, Algiers inhabitants will have access to various recreational facilities over the first ten kilometers (from the Sablettes to Sidi Moussa municipality) of this rehabilitated river.
As for the development of the Sablettes Walk, which part was opened last June, Sellal asked to stop the construction of service facilities on behalf of the State (restaurants, cafes and parks) and entrust them to private operators in compliance with the procedures in public markets.''