FG Plans To Revive ALSCON By 2023

The Federal Government says it would restart operations at the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, by the end of 2023.
The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uchechukwu Ogah, made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to the governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel at the Government House, Uyo, on Friday.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that ALSCON in Ikot Abasi be revamped and reactivated before the end of the present administration.
“President Buhari has mandated that ALSCON should be reactivated as soon as possible, so we believe that before the end of this administration ALSCON will be running.
“A lot of approvals have been gotten from the Federal Executive Council, concession for the utilisation of gas, so I believe with all the efforts put in place, ALSCON will be a glorious outcome,” Mr Ogah said.
He expressed optimism that at the end of the present administration, the company will commence operations.
The minister said that his two-day facility visit to ALSCON would ascertain the level of work at the company, and assured Akwa Ibom people that glorious days await the state soon.
He said legal issues around the company would be resolved, with the intervention of the federal government in the moribund status of the company.
“It is a growing concern and we believe that they will be sorted out as we keep progressing, we believe that based on the intervention from the federal government all the legal issues will be resolved soon,” he said.
Mr Ogah pointed out that the federal government seeks partnership with Akwa Ibom Government to create ease and a hitch-free atmosphere for solid mineral exploration in the state.
The collaboration would create opportunities for employment and wealth creation in the country, he said.
“We believe that it’s time for Akwa Ibom to develop the solid minerals in the state, we are looking at how to synergise, to collaborate with the state government so that we can have good relationship between the Ministry of Mines and Steel and the state so that exploration of minerals in the state will be with ease and hitch-free.