Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has initiated efforts to revive the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, a crucial player in Nigeria’s industrial sector.
The move is expected to reinvigorate the local economy, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global aluminium market.
Speaking during a two-day facility tour of ALSCON in Ikot Abasi, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shaiubu Abubakar Audu, emphasized that the revival of ALSCON is not just about restarting aluminium production but about building a robust industrial base that attracts foreign investment and drives economic growth.
“The Tinubu administration is committed to making Nigeria the hub for aluminium production in Africa,” Audu stated, stressing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has directed the Ministry to resolve all outstanding issues surrounding ALSCON’s operations.
According to the Minister, resuscitating ALSCON will significantly impact multiple industries, including construction, automobile, and packaging, by strengthening the aluminium supply chain.
He also highlighted the project’s potential to generate substantial revenue for the government through taxes and royalties, contributing to Nigeria’s national development goals.
“For the President to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030, all critical assets must come back online. The successful revival of ALSCON will be a major step toward that vision,” Audu stated.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, and senior officials from the Ministry, the Minister explained that his visit was to conduct a firsthand assessment of ALSCON’s capacity and prepare a comprehensive report for the President’s consideration.
Isokpunwu reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the plant’s revival, stressing its importance to Nigeria’s industrial and economic development. “We urge all stakeholders to provide the necessary information to facilitate a speedy resolution of all pending issues,” he said.
The Managing Director of ALSCON, Mr. Zaviyalov Dmitriy, acknowledged the challenges that have stalled the plant’s revival but assured that the management has kept 108 staff members on-site to maintain the infrastructure and keep the equipment in a preservation state until the full overhaul and restart of the plant.
The facility tour ended with a technical session between ALSCON’s management and directors from the Ministry of Steel Development, focused on assessing the plant’s current status and identifying solutions to lingering bottlenecks.
