Luanda — The Luanda "4 de Fevereiro" International Airport will undergo a process of modernization, expecting to increase the number of passengers from the current 1.2 million a year to 3.600, under an investment estimated at Usd 74 million.

To this end, the Angolan Cabinet Council gave the National Air Navigation and Airports Management Company (ENANA) authorization to enter into an agreement with the firm "Somague".

Speaking to journalists at the end of the Cabinet meeting, the minister of Transports, Augusto Tomás, said the project will increase the number of embarking rooms, counters and luggage belts, with a view to rising the current serving capacity of 400,000 passengers per hour.

The works that will last for 12 months, include the construction of a new passengers reception hall and expansion of the car park for more than 800 vehicles.

According to the minister, the intervention is an effort to respond to the present demand until the new Luanda airport under construction is complete.

The works include the construction of the C, C1and C2 taxi-ways and modification of the access roads, under a contract that will be signed between ENANA-EP and the Brazilian company, Odebrecht.

On the other hand, the first session of the Council of Ministers, chaired by the head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, was informed on content of the decisions adopted by the latest meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), of October 24, that led to the reduction of oil production, as a result of the fall in the crude price on the world market.