A community leader in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area has called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive steps toward reopening the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), stressing its importance to both the local community and the broader economy.
The facility, situated in Akwa Ibom State, has remained shut since 2013 due to recurring gas supply constraints and long-standing ownership disputes that have persisted for more than 20 years.
Speaking in Uyo, the community leader, Uyiota Abraham, described the prolonged closure as a major setback for residents, linking it to increased economic difficulties in the area.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise the revival of the smelter, noting that ALSCON represents a significant national investment that should not remain idle.
According to him, addressing unresolved legal issues and operational challenges is key to restoring the plant’s functionality and unlocking its economic potential.
Abraham also drew attention to the concerns of host communities, particularly those whose lands were acquired for the project, stating that they have yet to benefit from the economic opportunities originally promised due to the plant’s prolonged inactivity.
Read also:
- Constituents move to recall Akwa Ibom speaker over alleged underperformance, others
- Akwa Ibom to launch mechanised farming initiative to tackle hunger
- Group partners firms to boost employment generation, development in Akwa Ibom
Despite the shutdown, he acknowledged the efforts of the current management, UC RUSAL/ALSCON, for maintaining the facility and supporting capacity development initiatives.
He highlighted ongoing training programmes in fields such as welding, mechanical engineering, forklift operations, and information technology, alongside scholarship opportunities for students to study abroad.
He further appealed to the government to resolve the gas supply challenges hindering the plant’s restart, emphasising that reviving ALSCON would create jobs, stimulate industrial activity, and contribute significantly to economic growth in the region.
