The new international terminal under construction at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, would be opened for operation in five weeks.The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, gave the assurance at the 5th Aviation Stakeholders’ Forum on Thursday in Abuja.The terminal is being constructed by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC).

The project is funded with $500 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) and $100 million counterpart funding from the Nigerian government.

The minister said the new terminal had the capacity to process four million passengers annually.

He said the delay in the completion of the project was caused by some deficiencies discovered in the course of executing the project.

According to him, additional $490 million is required to address the variations.“The location of the terminal has affected the master plan of the airport and as such we are required to spend additional $490 million, which has been approved by the Federal Executive Council.

“There are also additional works to be carried out like the 1,300 capacity multi-storey car park and linking of the new terminal to the train station.

“In four to five weeks, the terminal will be inaugurated to start operation, which will increase the capacity of the airport,” he said.